Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Malcolm Ting, a member of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) team that retained the Bonallack Trophy in August, has joined the professional ranks.

The 21-year-old Malaysian relinquished his amateur status during last week's All Thailand Golf Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 at Watermill Golf Club and Resort in Nakhon Nayok, where he finished tied ninth to make it into December’s decisive Final Stage.

Ting made his first start as a professional in a fully-fledged Tour event at the on-going Toyota Tour Championship at Saujana Golf & Country Club, the season-ender of the domestic Toyota Tour which is co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour (ADT), and comfortably made the cut after rounds of 73 and 70.

Having won a bucketload of amateur titles and represented his nation on numerous occasions, including this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia where he claimed an individual silver medal, Ting noted that it was the right time for him to take the professional plunge.

“It’s time for me to take my golf career a step further and try to compete with the best professional players in Asia. I think I forgot that I was playing as a pro for the first time last week in Thailand! I actually didn't really think about it, and just went out and played,” said the golfer from the city of Miri in Sarawak.

Ting’s amateur swansong was supposed to have been last month’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Royal Melbourne, but he was forced to withdraw after suffering a fall in his hotel bathroom and injuring his back ahead of the first round. That would have been his second AAC appearance following the 2019 edition at Sheshan International Golf Club in China, where he finished 52nd.

“It was disappointing that I couldn’t play in the AAC as that would have been a great way to end my amateur career. Playing in the AAC really helps you prepare for professorial golf, because you are competing with the best amateurs in Asia who are looking to turn professional as well,” said Ting.

Donning APGC colours in the Bonallack Trophy at La Manga Club in Spain, Ting added, was another highlight of his amateur career.

“The Bonallack Trophy was a fun week. It was a great experience playing in such a big event and representing the Asia-Pacific team against the best players from Europe. And you know, you actually make many new friends and learn from them,” he recalled.

Ting got particularly close with the two Korean players in the APGC team, Jang Yubin and Cho Woo-young, who also turned professional after helping Korea to the gold medal in the team competition at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

“I keep in touch with them regularly. Yubin just finished in the top five at the Hong Kong Open and Woo-young is doing well on the Korean Tour. I hope that they both succeed,” said Ting.

As for his own career pathway, Ting stressed that he will be taking it one step at a time.

“I’ll just try to play as many tournaments as I can to gain as much experience as possible in my first year as a pro. I’ll focus on the local Toyota Tour and, if I get my card, the All Thailand Golf Tour, and try to play ADT and Asian Tour events if I can get some exemptions. I’ll definitely play in the Asian Tour Q-School for the 2025 season,” said Ting.

“I think it’s important not to get too many things into your head and not get too rushed, and take things step by step.”