Manila, Philippines: For Tiffany Huang Ting-hsuan, the excitement is palpable. And with good reason.
In the space of the next seven weeks, the Chinese Taipei teenager has three testing assignments before she embarks on the next phase of her fledgeling golfing career.
“It’s a very exciting time,” said Huang, currently 37th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), a position she's intent on improving upon over the next 40 days.
During that period she’ll spearhead Chinese Taipei’s bid for Queen Sirikit Cup glory here in the Philippines, aim to defend her Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) title in Singapore and challenge for victory in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA).
It’s quite a schedule, beginning with the 43rd edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship which tees-off at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club tomorrow morning.
That will be followed by a maiden appearance at the Singapore Island Country Club for the fifth staging of the WAAP (March 9-12) before she heads Stateside for the ANWA, the final round of which will take place at Augusta National on April 1.
Rather than be fazed or overwhelmed by what lies ahead, the 18-year-old is typically laid back.
“I don’t get stressed. I’m relaxed. I just aim to enjoy the experiences … and learn from them,” said Huang, who also has the prospect of commencing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) this fall.
For now, though, her focus is firmly fixed on the Queen Sirikit Cup – and how she can help her country to a third victory in the event, but the first since a Tseng Ya-ni-inspired triumph at Royal Adelaide Golf Club in Australia in 2006.
“There are a lot of strong players and strong teams here, but if we play well then we certainly have a chance,” said Huang, citing defending champions Japan and Korea as the favourites.
In Tuesday’s opening round at Manila Southwoods, Huang has been drawn alongside Malaysian Ng Jing Xuen and Korean Kim Min-sol, 16th in the WAGR.
Huang will also be keeping a close eye on Japan’s Mizuki Hashimoto, playing four flights ahead of her.
Hashimoto was the linchpin of the Japanese team that ended their 20-year Queen Sirikit Cup drought last year, also topping the individual standings, with Huang sharing third place.
It’s not lost on Huang that Hashimoto was at that time the reigning WAAP champion. Now that she’s inherited that title, Huang has cause to believe she can also emulate her Japanese friend by emerging triumphant over the Masters Course at Manila Southwoods.
Although she’s making her first visit to the Philippines, after two practice rounds, Huang is feeling right at home.
“I like the course. We have a Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Taiwan (Miramar Golf & Country Club) and it’s quite similar. There’s a lot of sand, some long par-threes and the greens are fast – but that’s what I like,” said Huang.
