Putrajaya, August 3: Indonesia’s Ribka Vania carded a superb closing 70 under intense pressure to win the 35th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open at Palm Garden Golf Club.
The 18-year-old finished with a 54-hole total of one-over-par 217 (77, 70, 70) to take the coveted title by two shots from overnight leader Ridhima Dilawari of India (73 , 70, 76).
Malaysian junior Mirabel Ting – who turns 13 next month – upstaged her more experienced counterparts to finish as the best local player in fourth place on five-over par 221 (72, 74, 75).
Ribka noted that the win was a confidence-booster ahead of the Asian Games in Indonesia later this month.
“This definitely helps my confidence going into the Asian Games … it’s my biggest title since I won the Future Champions Golf International Junior Championship in San Diego two years ago. My short game and putting were working really well today and that helped me save a lot of pars,” said Ribka.
Organised by the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA), the 54-hole World Amateur Golf Ranking event featured 104 amateur golfers from 11 countries competing in three categories – Open (elite golfers with handicaps nine and below), Mid-Amateur (handicaps 10 to 24), and Senior (age 50 and above with handicaps 24 and below).
