Cambodia Sea Games golf medallist, Ng Jing Xuen claimed victory at the Templer Park CC Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open (MLAO) held at the Templer Park Country Club in Rawang.
The 15-year-old golfer made her mark with a remarkable hole-in-one on the par-three eighth hole and three birdies on hole four, seven and 11 finishing with a two-under 70 and a total score of two-under 214. Her outstanding performance secured a comfortable five-stroke lead over her closest competitors, including national No. 2, Mirabel Ting, who recently won the Vietnam Ladies Amateur Open.
Jing Xuen’s victory marked a significant milestone as she became the first local winner to hoist the DYMM Tunku Ampuan Negeri Sembilan Trophy in six years since Nur Durriyah Damian in 2016.
Ng Jing Xuen
“I trained very hard for this tournament and other tournaments, so I’m very happy and blessed winning the Malaysian ladies open for the first time,” said Jing Xuen who plans on turning pro after her sixteenth birthday on May 8 and play on the Thailand, China and Taiwan Tours
Despite Mirabel firing the lowest score of the day, a 69, it came too late to close the gap. Her opening rounds of 77 and 73 proved challenging to overcome. Mirabel, together with Singapore’s Inez Ng (70) and compatriot Charlayne Chong (72), shared second place with a total score of 219.
Liyana Durisic secured the fourth spot with a final round of 71, accumulating a total of 221. Sea Games bronze medallist, Foong Zi Yu, finished as the fifth Malaysian in the top six, trailing by three shots following a 74.
Delighted with her performance, Jing Xuen expressed her satisfaction, stating, “My game went quite well from tee to green today. Everything just came into place. Playing on this beautiful golf course certainly helped because it gives you good vibes. The hole-in-one, I used a nine-iron from 127 meters. The ball took one bounce, and it rolled in.”
With her confidence soaring, Jing Xuen is now eyeing back-to-back victories as she prepares to compete in the RSGC Ladies Amateur Open at the Royal Selangor Golf Club next week.
Ng Jing Xuen, Mirabel Ting and Liyana Durisic won the team event and received the Mary Williams Trophy from Tunku Puteri Jawahir, the President of MALGA
Jing Xuen together with Mirabel Ting and Liyana Durisic formed a formidable MALGA 1 team to win the team event and the Mary Williams trophy on their accumulated total score of 292.
Maisarah Hezri aced the 16th par 3
The Datin Maria Musa Trophy for the Senior category went to Ireen Teng who secured a scored of 171. She received the trophy from Datin Maria Musa, who incidentally was the first President of the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA). Wong Jay Lyn gross score of 161 saw her win the YAM Tunku Tun Maimunah Trophy.
There were two hole-in-ones achieved during the three-day tournament. The first ace was holed by Maisarah Hezri on the 16th par 3 hole. She took home two AirAsia return tickets to Busan, Korea and a one-year membership at Templer Park Country Club. Jing Xuen missed out on the Corolla Cross Hybrid car prize that was on offer only on the second day of the tournament. However, she didn’t go home empty-handed. She also received a one-year membership at Templer Park Country Club. Templer Park Country Club as title sponsor of the tournament offered one-year membership for all aces achieved on par-three holes during the tournament.
Leading scores (Malaysia unless stated)
214: Ng Jing Xuen 72-72-70;
219: Mirabel Ting 77-73-69, Inez Ng (Sin) 72-77-70, Charlayne Chong 73-74-72;
221: Liyana Durisic 75-75-71;
224: Foong Zi Yu 75-75-74;
227: Hailey Loh (Sin) 78-75-74, Lau Hoi Ki (Hkg) 80-70-77;
228: Sung You Chuan (Tai) 78-75-75, Chen Xing Tong (Sin) 72-76-80;
230: Napajira Luesattha (Tha) 76-75-79.
