Time is running out for Ainil to retain European Tour playing card
PETALING JAYA: National No. 2 Ainil Johani Bakar has just two more events to salvage her Ladies European Tour (LET) playing card. The 28-year-old can’t afford any more slip
ups when she tees off in the 375,000 (RM1.85mil) Women’s Indian Open in
Gurgaon from Nov 10-12 and the 300,000 (RM1.48mil) Sanya Ladies Open in Hainan, China, from Nov 17-19.
Ainil must make enough money to finish the season in the top 90. Otherwise, she will lose her playing rights in the prestigious Tour for a second time.
The 2015 Finnish Ladies Open champion
has amassed just 4,585 (RM22,600) so far this season to be in 110th spot. She trails 90th-placed Cathryn Bristow of New Zealand
by 4,014 (RM19,800).
Ainil first lost her card after her debut season in 2014. She regained the playing privileges for 2016 through the LET Qualifying School in December 2015.
She believes that she needs at least two top- 10 finishes in India and China to secure a fourth season on the LET.
“I have no choice but to finish the season strongly. I’m targeting a top 10 in India and China,” vowed Ainil.
“I’ll need to earn about 10,000 (RM49,300) from these two events. If I can do that, I should be fine.”
Last year, Ainil barely kept her card when she finished 90th in the money list.
Ainil is adamant that she has not fared too badly this season given her consistent performance on the China LPGA Tour.
She made six cuts from eight appearances and had four top-25 finishes in her last four starts, including a season-best joint 16th at the Zhuhai Heritage in July.
“I also won two of the first three ladies’ events on the PGM Tour (MIDF Championship last week and Tiara Closed Championship in August).
“I performed fairly OK. Not too great but not that bad either,” said Ainil.