Winnie Ng
Malaysia’s Winnie Ng set the early pace at the CLPG Tour Qualifying Tournament on Wednesday as an international field of 141 players battle for the 30 full-time playing cards on offer for the upcoming 2025 season.
With cool, wet and windy weather adding to the already tough conditions at The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula West Course layout in Hainan Island, the 23-year-old rookie pro shot a four-under 68 in the opening round of the 72-hole tournament for a two-shot lead.
Chinese teenager Wang Zixuan and Thai Pattamavadee Kittikanok were equal second on two-under 70. Naphatsawan Pabsimma carded a hole-in-one on the way to a one-under 71 to sit equal fourth with fellow Thai Suttinee Ngamkhan, Indonesian Holly Victoria Halim, China’s Liu Minshan and amateur Chen Yulin.
Four groups of players were left out in the field when play was called for darkness. They will finish their first round early Thursday morning.
Ng turned pro late last year after earning two degrees while playing golf on the US college circuit. Setting a goal in high school to become “an excellent pro golfer”, the Kuala Lumpur native showed signs of doing just that at the challenging seaside layout with a round that included five birdies and one bogey.
“I felt a little bit nervous out of the gate since it’s my first trip to any Q-school. My caddie could see it by the expression on my face and advised me to relax and play freely. It worked well, especially after I made a couple of long putts from outside the greens. I made three birdies over the back nine, which is nice,” said Ng.
“I have already played some events in China and made some good friends. I can speak Chinese here and have a good career. I dreamt that I could be a good professional player and play on the LPGA Tour when I was young. Some of my best friends like Atthaya Thitikul are playing on the LPGA Tour. I want to follow in their steps.”
The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula West Course is a 6,321-yard, par-72 layout designed by Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith.
Results
CLPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (Players are from mainland China unless indicated. * denotes amateur)
68 – Winnie Ng (MAS)
70 – Wang Zixuan, Pattamavadee Kittikanok (THA)
71 – Chen Yulin*, Holly Victoria Halim (INA), Liu Minshan, Suttinee Ngamkhan (THA),
Naphatsawan Pabsimma (THA)
72 – Fu Jingyi, Yang Jiaxin, Thanita Muangkhumsakul (THA)
73 – Napabhach Boon-In (THA), Chakansim Khamborn (THA), Kanyawat Poomklay (THA),
Zhang Yunjie, Liu Yiyi*, Lee Kai-wing (HKG)
