Danang, Vietnam: By her own admission, Jeneath Wong does not possess a classical, textbook golf swing. It could not be described as either beautiful or free-flowing. Not that it bothers her in the slightest.
By winning the seventh edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) in such impressive fashion, the small-of-stature but big-of-heart Malaysian provided the latest evidence to support the argument that substance carries more weight than style.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of her famous triumph at Hoiana Shores Golf Club, the Melbourne-based 20-year-old who is currently studying in the United States acknowledged that she has an unconventional grip and a somewhat ungainly action.
“Growing up, I didn’t really have a golf coach. My main golf coach was my dad, so my swing is kind of like homemade, I guess. It’s not perfect in any way,” she said, matter-of-factly.
“There have been a few people that said my strong grip can be bad. But I don’t listen to them … and I can’t really fix it anyway. So, I just kind of deal with it,” she added.
At Hoiana Shores, she dealt with everything that was thrown at her in similarly unfussy manner.
Clearly, the five-foot, one-inch tall Wong, nicknamed Pocket Dynamite, does not bear any inferiority complex – even when she finds herself up against taller and physically stronger opponents with glittering titles on the line.
On the contrary. As she illustrated over the Robert Trent Jones Jnr-sculpted layout, she has an abundance of enviable attributes that enable her to atone for any shortcomings.
Most notable among them are a mature golfing brain, a strong mindset, and a wonderfully creative short game – a potent combination that served her so well in plotting her way around the world-class Vietnamese linksland.
During the final round, she was frequently outdriven by upto 50 yards by her Korean playing partner Oh Soo-min, ninth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Many would have been intimated by the 16-year-old six-footer with a long, elegant swing. Not Wong. The 123rd rated player in the WAGR was never tempted to alter her gameplan to try and keep up with Oh.
“Even though I didn’t really think much about it, I know that they (other players) hit further than me. But I didn’t really pay attention to their game. I just kind of stick to my own game. I always try to stick to my own gameplan, knowing their game is completely different to mine.”
A perfect example of Wong's skill and tenacity came at the ninth hole in the final round when her hybrid approach to the long par-four veered right of the putting surface, while Oh’s short-iron second shot came to rest five feet from the cup. A significant, potentially decisive, swing in fortunes appeared to be on the cards.
Unfazed, Wong duly produced a masterful flop shot followed by a nerveless par-saving six-footer. Perhaps shaken by her rival’s unshakeability, Oh failed to convert her putt and the duo headed to the 10th tee having both signed for fours.
Across the week there were numerous other clutch ‘up-and-downs’, including at the tournament’s 72nd hole. From 40 yards out she pitched to four feet below the cup, holing the birdie putt that gave her a one-stroke winning margin from Oh.
Wong makes it all sound as easy as she makes it look. “I think I have quite a variety of shots. I can play high, flop shots, low shots. I think I just know which different kinds of shots will be suitable for different conditions. I enjoy being creative with different shots and (working out) how to factor the winds and conditions to try to fit into your game.”
Now into her third year at Pepperdine University in California, Wong credits her college experiences with helping her develop a strong mental approach.
“College has prepared me to change my mindset. Rather than always pin-hunting, sometimes you just need to find the middle of the green,” said Wong, who namechecks Laurie Gibbs, her coach at Pepperdine.
If that side of her game has benefitted from her time in America, her ability to play well in all conditions is a by-product of an upbringing that has seen her tested in different environments across the Asia-Pacific region.
“Growing up in Malaysia and getting to play all those Asian courses has helped me. So has playing in Australia, where I got to know the wind with the links courses. Growing up in different places really helped my game,” said Wong, who was born in the Malaysian capital and was a member at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
She moved to Australia when she was aged 10 and is a member at Metropolitan Golf Club, where she’s enjoyed considerable success.
Her impressive CV also includes victories in the Women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs in 2022 and the Australian Girls’ Amateur in both 2021 and 2022, as well as claiming an individual bronze and team silver medal with Malaysia at the 2022 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam.
Nonetheless, emerging triumphant at Hoiana Shores surpassed even her own expectations.
“I never imagined winning this tournament. I just wanted to finish well,” said Wong, insisting her ‘goal for the future is to play on the LPGA Tour’.
She said: “I’m planning to turn pro maybe after college. Just get my education done first. I think my game is definitely heading in the right direction. Maybe (I just need) a bit more gym work to get me hitting a bit further.”
And what advice would she proffer to female Asian golfers in general and those of a smaller physical stature in particular?
“Just try to play. It’s a fun game. It doesn’t matter if you don’t hit it far because you can focus on your short game … and still get there,” said Wong, who can speak from personal experience.
