‘Malaysian angels’ ready to play against LPGA’s best
KUALA LUMPUR: Dubbed as the ‘ Malaysian Angels’, nine Malaysian women golfers are ready to prove their capabilities against top guns in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2016.
The Malaysians are Aretha Pan, Nur Durriyah Damian and national player, Ashley Lau, who finished in the top- three positions during the qualifier in September while Winnie Ng and Natasha Andrea Oon, are the nation’s top two national Under17 players.
T w o Olympians, Kelly Tan and Michel le Koh alongside Ai ni l Joha n i Abu Baka r and Jean Chua received sponsors’ invites to the tournament.
This is by far the largest Malaysian contingent in the t ournament ’ s history.
“Definitely I’m looking forward to this event. I want to play my best golf. It’s been a good year for me. I’m excited to be back,” said 26year- old Michelle, who turned professional two years ago.
“However, expectations are high when playing at home... That is the toughest thing and I am just going to have fun,” added Michelle.
Jean Chua, who has been a regular at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, felt relieved she got to be wh e n invited in this year’s tournament. “I’m speechless... and beyond everything, I’m very happy. After having been unsuccessful in the qualifiers and when I got the call, I was beyond happy. This is the event that I really wanted to play,” she said. Meanwhile, amateur gol fer Ashley is all set to rub shoulders with the best of the world in the competition.
The 16- year- old is looking forward to this tournament which includes her idol, Paula Creamer of the United States.
“I obviously feel very excited and nervous at the same time,” she said.
The S ime D a rby L PGA Malaysia 2016 offers a total of US$ 1.8 mi l lion ( about RM7.5 million) in prize money.
A total of 78 players from 20 different nations will compete in the 71- hole stroke play, no cut tournament at TPC Kuala Lumpur from Oct 27- 30. —
Bernama