Ashley’s fine run halted by Californian lass

PETALING JAYA: Ashley Lau Jen Wen's debut in the prestigious US Girls' Junior Championship in California ended in bittersweet fashion.

The 18-year-old's run was halted in the match play round of 64 by homester Libby Winans when she lost by one hole in a thrilling contest that stretched to 21 holes at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach on Thursday.

Exiting early in the match play round was certainly hard to accept for Ashley considering that she advanced from the 36-hole stroke play competition with flying colours.

Ashley had fired a pair of 69s for an impressive four-under 138 to make the top 64 cut in fourth place on Wednesday.

“Finishing fourth in the stroke play was unbelievable, I really did not expect that,” said the Bintulu-born lass.

“In the match play however, I did not strike the ball and putt as well as I did in the stroke play, but that’s golf.

“The US Girls Juniors is such an organised event. I loved everything about it except the fog delays in the morning!

“Those long hours of wait made me tired. We completed the round at 8.30pm!"

Still, Ashley's three-week US stint was a productive one.

Ashely had won two tournaments in the Future Golf Champions (FCG) series in California – the FCG Challenge Cup at Pala Mesa Resorts on June 28 and the FCG International Junior Golf Championship at Sycuan Golf Resort on July 6.

Last Friday, Ashley finished a creditable fourth in the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego.