Maverick Antcliff has used a rare week outside of China to make a big impression in the Asian Tour’s Sarawak Championship in Malaysia, recording four sub-70 rounds to be the leading Australian.

As Kiwi Mark Brown parlayed a sponsor’s invitation into a sixth-placed finish, three shots behind winner John Catlin from the United States, Antcliff was 9-under over the course of the weekend to finish in a tie for 11th, his best finish in four Asian Tour starts this year.

Fifth on the China Tour Order of Merit last year, the 25-year-old Queenslander has split his time between China and Asia in 2018 but has done enough in recent weeks to earn a start in this week’s Bank BRI Indonesia Open, his back-to-back birdies to complete his week in Malaysia doing his tournament standing no harm whatsoever.

New Zealand left-hander Gareth Paddison shot 4-under 68 in the final round to finish tied for 17th at 13-under, one shot ahead of Aussie Matthew Stieger (12-under) who was a further shot clear of James Marchesani (11-under).

Travis Smyth (10-under) and Kiwi Ben Campbell (9-under) gave their prizemoney hauls a boost with rounds of 5-under 67 in the final round, Jake Higginbottom continuing his recent return to form in finishing tied 35th.

Other Aussies to make the cut in Malaysia were Daniel Fox and Andrew Martin, David Gleeson, Jack Wilson, Scott Barr, Marcus Both, Steven Jeffress and Josh Younger failing to make the weekend. Adam Blyth withdrew after an opening round 74.