China’s rising golf star Ji Yuai will be relishing the prospect of contending for the Singapore Ladies Masters for a second time after missing out on the title by a whisker at last year’s inaugural event.
The 19-year-old will return to the Laguna National Resort Golf Club’s Master Course for the June 14-16 showdown, brimming with confidence after attaining CLPGA Tour winner status by triumphing at the Tianjin Women’s Open in April.
The experience of capturing her maiden professional victory will certainly serve Ji well as she seeks to put last year’s heartbreak behind her, after being pipped to the title by Singapore’s Shannon Tan with just one shot.
The thrilling battle on the final day saw Ji shoot a brilliant 67. However, it was Tan who ultimately had the last say after she closed with a 66 to compile a winning total of 10-under-par 206.
“After coming so close last year, my determination to clinch the Singapore Ladies Masters title burns brighter than ever. I’ll harness the confidence from my recent triumph and channel it into conquering the course this time,” said Ji.
The US$100,000 tournament will also showcase some of the leading performers from last season’s CLPGA Tour, with Sui Xiang and Shi Yuli among them, both making their second successive appearance.
The 25-year-old Sui boasts two CLPGA Tour victories, including her triumph at the Tianjin Ladies Challenge last year, ultimately helping her to conclude the 2023 season in fourth place overall.
Sui will be aiming to surpass her tied-24th place finish in Singapore.
“Returning to the Singapore Ladies Masters fills me with excitement, knowing it’s the sole CLPGA tournament outside China of the 2024 season, offering unique challenges in course dynamics and weather,” said Sui.
“Thinking about how I did last time makes me want to do even better at the Singapore Ladies Masters. I’m really focused on improving and giving it my all to beat last year’s achievement.”
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Shi, though yet to claim a title, showed considerable promise with a standout season last year.
She has consistently been in contention, securing third place on three occasions and it seems only a matter of time before she breaks through.
In her previous visit to Singapore, she finished tied for 35th.
“I love playing at the Singapore Ladies Masters! It’s really special to me,” said Shi.
“I’m excited to show what I can do at Laguna National again, and I’m looking forward to facing new challenges and getting better as a player.”
Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee. Photo credit: Singapore Ladies Masters
Also in contention are Lin Qianhui and Lin Yezhou, as the CLPGA stars brace themselves to be challenged by rising talents from the region, including Thailand’s Kan Bunnabodee and Pattraporn Sripatrprasite, Japan’s Julia Kurata, South Korea’s Jung Hyun-woo, and Singapore’s own Athena Ni.
Bunnabodee, a rookie professional, is certainly one to watch.
It was just in February when she secured her CLPGA Tour card with flying colours at the Qualifying Tournament in Hainan, stamping her mark by shooting a remarkable final round 10-under-par 62 to win by an impressive eight-shot margin.
As one of Thailand’s top amateurs and a key member of the national team, Bunnabodee had an illustrious amateur career. She honed her skills during four years of collegiate golf at Purdue University, where she was a regular member of the team.
Her standout performance came in 2021 when she tied for runner-up at the prestigious Women’s Asia Pacific Amateur.
Bunnabodee will be relishing a return to Master Course, the scene where she won the Singapore Ladies Amateur Open in 2017.
“I can’t wait to tee it up at Laguna National as a CLPGA Tour member. I’m thrilled to be playing in a Tour event that’s close to home, and I’ll try to use that to my advantage,” said Bunnabodee.
“Singapore holds a special place in my heart, as it was on this very Master Course where I won one of my first international amateur titles back in 2017. I’ll try to relive that experience and replicate the success on the professional stage.”
The top 60 professional players, including ties, from the opening two rounds will progress to the final round of the Singapore Ladies Masters on Sunday.
