Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Amateur standout Mirabel Ting marked her LPGA Tour debut by claiming the distinction of finishing as the top-placed Malaysian in the Maybank Championship.
Eighth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, 19-year-old Ting outshone her country’s leading professionals by finishing in a share of 12th place in the US$3 million event over Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s West Course.
Showing great skill and maturity, Ting fired rounds of 67, 75, 64 and 70. It was the best ever showing by a Malaysian in an LPGA Tour event on Malaysian soil.
Ting finished ahead of no fewer than six Major championship winners – Yuka Saso, Amy Yang, Ayaka Furue, Jennifer Kupcho, Ashleigh Buhai and round one leader Mao Saigo.
Ting, who finished level with defending champion Celine Boutier, said: “Overall I did well this week, handling the pressure and the crowd. I wasn’t expecting to be able to handle the pressure like that. But I handled it pretty well. I also learned a lot this week, finally getting to play my first LPGA event.”
The tournament was won by ‘Ronni’ Yin Ruoning. The 22-year-old from China shot a last day seven-under-par 65 to finish on 23-under 265 to collect the Tiger Trophy and the US$450,000 first prize.
For the second year in succession, Thailand’s Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul had to settle for second place. Last year she was beaten in an epic nine-hole play-off by Boutier.
This time Atthaya, winner of the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2018, finished one shot behind Yin, a good friend of hers.
Maybank President and Group CEO Dato Khairussaleh Ramli said: “We have been privileged to witness golf at its finest in this year’s Maybank Championship, not only by our deserving champion, Yin Ruoning, but by the other LPGA stars and regional talents.
“The players have put on a fabulous show for us, not least our very own rising amateur, Mirabel Ting.
“I am also proud that this year’s Maybank Championship witnessed an impressive turnout of more spectators than last year over four days. It is our fervent hope that the championship will inspire more young talents to pick up this beautiful game.”
