Chance to shine on global stage
Young Malaysian amateurs in Sime Darby LPGA will play alongside the world’s best
MALAYSIA has eight players in this season’s Sime Darby LPGA tournament at TPC Kuala Lumpur and it’s a rep presentation it hath shouldhl den joyj fle good ad home feathers. support and mayberuffew
Th he contingent features four pros and four amateurs, all of whom m will be more enthusiastic to pu ut on a decent showing on their r home turf.
Am mong the pros are Kelly Tan, Mich helle Koh and Ainil Johani Baka ar, who wereawarded sp on exemptions sor’s and Aretha Pan, who won the event’s qualifier.
Nu ur Durriyah Damian, whofind sihed second will also be in th he line-up at the US$1.8mil1 no-cut tourn nament to be stage ed from Oct 27-30 0.
Na ational team junio or Ashley Lau also made the grade for th he Sime Darby LPGA A Malaysia after she wasw third in the quali ifier.
Th he other two Mala aysians in the field are teenagers WinnieW Ng and Natasha Andr rea Oon, who received special invitations to feature in the 75-st trong field.
For the young amateur sin the tourn nament, this is a great chance to ga ain invaluable expereince playi ig on a global platform and one t that could alter careersdracally. mati
Th his is the view of TPC Kuala Lum pur senior academy instructor K Koe Lai Yin, who is also the prog ramme director of the Sime Darb by LPGA Development Prog ramme.
“Fo or each of the last seven years the SimeS Darby LPGA Deve elopment Programme has sought to help our junior talent and iti is paying good dividends,” said Lai Yin.
“W We don’t expect our young amat tuers to go out there and win the to ournament — of course if they do, th hat would be marvellous. What we do is try and help them with their game and for those fortunate enough to play in the event, gain from the experience of being in one of the biggest and best tournaments in women’s golf.”
Lai Yin said a few of the young amateurs might be overwhelmed by the occasion but the players actually stood more to gain from it.
“Of course the young players may be a little nervous, given the magnitude of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. But we do our best to prepare them for the occasion and we believe they are ready to go out there and enjoy themselves.”
TPC Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer Steven Thielke concurred and added: “This is a good opportunity for the young players to enjoy an experience that will help mature their game.
“It’s a big tournament with the world’s best players in it and one that should help lift their game to the next level.
“We are happy with the progress that the Sime Darby LPGA Development Programme has made in preparing them for the tournament. We are confident that the young ladies will equip themselves well at the end of the month.”
Sixteen-year-old Ashley is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the game’s top players, including her idol Paula Creamer of the United States. “It should be a good week at TPC Kuala Lumpur and I’m really excited about it,” added the student of Hills International Golf Academy in Queensland, Australia.
Aretha, who will be playing in her sixth Sime Darby LPGA said: “I feel good at the moment. I have confidence in how I am playing right now.
“But that is not to say I will not try to improve. I will continue to work on my overall game and spend more time on my putting, which I think needs more attention than some of the other areas.
“Hopefully it will come together that week and I’ll just be happy with a strong finish.”
Among the leading candidtaes who are expected to enjoy good support is Ariya Jutanugarn.
A revelation of the Tour this year, the Thai is in the midst of a major championship breakthrough season and already has four titles to her credit, including the Women’s British Open.
She also woon the Yokohama Tire LPGA Claassic, Kingsmill Championshipp and LPGA Volvik Championshipp.
Speaking off her visit to the Malaysian cappital, world number two Ariya saidd: “I’m looking fornd ward to it anfornd I’m excited about returning too Kuala Lumpur. I’ve enjoyed plaaying there since I first made my KL debut in 2012.”
Turning to her season so far, she added: “It’s been a great year for me aand I’m feeling good about it. I will aim to continue moving forwaard and improving on my resultss.”
Defending championc Jessica Korda of Unitted States will also be returning to KKuala Lumpur in search of a suuccessful title defence.
She said: “TheT Sime Darby LPGA is amonng the first events that I committted to when the schedule camme out at the beginear. ning of the yebeginear.
“It’s a greatt event. The course is always in fantastic shape. I had a great time theere and I always love going back to Malaysia.
“The crowdds we get are so much fun andd it’s just one of those events that’s vvery special to me.”
Malaysia’s yyoung amateurs will get the chancee to learn from playand ers like Ariya Korda, and who knows what mmight come from that in the end.
Korda is alsso looking forward to catching up wwith national junior golfer Natasha Andrea Oon, 14, whom she beffriended through an event four years ago.
“I love spennding time with Natasha,” Korrda said.
“She’s a greeat up-and-coming player and beeing able to see how she’s grown, I think that’s just the best part abouut what we do ... keeping thesee relationships with people you seee maybe once or twice a year aand seeing how everything chhanges.”