Ashley blows ’em away
Lau weathers tough windy conditions to make cut as highest-placed Malaysian
HOKOTA (Japan): Ashley Lau surprised even herself when she weathered tough and windy conditions to make the weekend cut for the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific championship.
The 18-year-old from Bintulu was the highest-placed Malaysian going into the weekend after hobbling her way to a seven-over 79 at the Royal Golf Club yesterday.
Ashley was tied at 14th spot with five other golfers with a two-day total of six-over 150.
She carded a one-under 71 in the opening round on Thursday.
The weather took a turn for the worse yesterday as it rained throughout the second round of play. The amateurs not only had to deal with the low temperature (below 10° C) but also had to get to grips quickly against the blustery wind.
Ashley, who could have finished in the top 10 overall had she not double bogeyed the ninth hole (on the front nine), said it was really tough out there for everyone.
“It wasn’t just raining but everything became tougher as the wind picked up after the first few holes,” said Ashley, who is a freshman at the University of Michigan.
“It’s hard to stroke well and I had to be really careful with each shot. I did not hit it well today but I felt like I did really good to get seven over in these kinds of difficult conditions.
“The cold is okay to me as I study in Michigan (United States) but the wind was something. It affected my putting, which does not really happen often, so I guess it’s a good experience.”
She was, nonetheless, relieved to make the weekend cut.
“I bogeyed the last hole to miss the cut by one stroke in the tournament in Singapore last year.
“I saw the scoreboard on my way back to the clubhouse and I was surprised to see my name up there in the top 20. I will try to cherish every moment of it tomorrow,” she added.
Malaysia will also be represented by Natasha Andrea Oon and Liyana Durisic in the weekend rounds.
Natasha, also based in the US, did an eight-over 80 to finish with a total of 152 shots for a joint 25th spot while Liyana finished the second round in 47th spot after an eight-over 80 for a 157 total.
Mirabel Ting, the youngest golfer in the field at 13 years of age, missed the cut by just one stroke in joint 52nd spot.
After starting with a 72, Mirabel failed to overcame the tough conditions and ended with a 14-over 86 for a total of 14-over 158. National No. 1 Loy Hee Ying also missed out after a nine-under 81 for the same 158 total.
I saw the scoreboard on my way back to the clubhouse and I was surprised to see my name up there in the top 20.
Ashley Lau