Talented 15-year-old Ng Jing Xuen intends to take the big leap by turning professional very soon. She created history when she became the first Malaysian female golfer to win an individual gold medal at the Sea Games which took place in Phnom Penh last May.
In confirming this, her father Steven Ng said that Jing Xuen has set her sights fully on professional golf as a career and will probably compete in the Toyota Tour events, the Camry Cup at Forest City and the Alphard Cup in Kota Seriemas, both scheduled to be held next month.
“She wants to compete among the best, and one of them is Aretha Pan,” said Steven. “Jing Xuen is focusing on become the top lady golfer in the region.” He added that she will play the Camry and Alphard Cup events as long as it does not clash with her preparations for the Maybank LPGA Championship.
After that, JX, as she is popularly known in the golf industry will compete in the Thailand, China and Japan ladies’ qualifying schools. She will then attempt the LPGA qualifying school in 2025. Steven added that Jing Xuen will continue her education after 10 years as a professional.
Jing Xuen is currently lying joint fourth with fellow amateur Nasrullah Zulkifli and Zia Izzuddeen after two rounds of the Toyota Tour qualifying school at the Palm Resort GCC here. She carded a 73 to add to her 73 in yesterday’s first round.
Still leading the field is Langkawi lad Tan Yih Heng who added a second 71 to be at 142 – two strokes ahead of Hans Jamil whose three-under 69 was the lowest score today. A further stroke behind is Shahrul Ikhzuan in solo third.
A total of 93 players teed off yesterday and after the second round, 67 have made the cut for the final round. The inaugural Toyota Tour is organised by the Professional Golf Malaysia and delivered by MST Golf Group.
Tan Yih Heng still leads after second round
Tournament leader Tan was all smiles after submitting his scorecard. “I was poor off the tee and found only 12 out of 14 fairways. But I scrambled well and my putting, which has greatly improved, was key.”
Leading men’s amateur Malcolm Ting didn’t have a good round, carding a 75 comprising three bogeys. “I couldn’t buy myself a birdie … not one!” said Malcolm. He is placed joint 13th at five-over 149 along with fellow amateurs Afif Fathi and Syed Nor Ismail.
Players who finish 15-over and better after three rounds at this qualifying school, will earn rights to play in the Toyota Tour. Their cards will expire next September.
Leading scores
- 142 Tan Yih Heng 71-71
- 144 Hans Jamil 75-69
- 145 Shahrul Ikhzuan 75-70;
- 146 Zia Izzuddeen 75-71; Nasrullah Zulkifli (am) 73-73; Ng Jing Xuen (am) 73-73
- 147 Rhaasrikanesh (am) 75-72; Sheikh Razak (am) 72-75
- 148 Anson Yeo (am) 75-73; Maveen Kumar 75-73; Hafiy Suhaili 74-74; Syady Sheikh 74-74
- 149 Afif Fathi (am) 78-71; Malcolm Ting (am) 74-75; Syed Nor Ismail 73-76 (am)
