The Woodlands, Texas, United States: Reigning Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) champion Jeneath Wong is taking the positives from her outing at The Chevron Championship, despite missing the half-way cut in the season’s opening women’s Major.
The second-ranked Malaysian amateur posted rounds of 78 and 76 in tough, blustery conditions at The Club at Carlton Woods’ Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Her 36-hole total of 10-over-par 154 was eight shots below the cut-line.
“The experience of playing in The Chevron Championship was unreal and amazing. Playing in the first Major of the year and coming in with no expectations made this tournament a lot more enjoyable, and there are lots of positives to take from the week,” said Wong.
“Being able to play on the world stage in a Major with the world’s top professionals is an honour. I was able to see what the pros do differently and was able to learn from that,” added Wong, a junior at Pepperdine University in California.
Wong earned her place in The Chevron Championship with her historic victory at last month’s WAAP in Vietnam, where she fought off Korean Oh Soo-min at Hoiana Shores Golf Club to become the first Malaysian winner of the region’s most prestigious women’s amateur event.
The Chevron Championship was Wong’s second Major outing following the 2023 US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, where she missed the cut by three shots. The 21-year-old will be accorded two more Major invitations this year as reigning WAAP champion - the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort in France and the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, both in July.
Wong now heads back to her university for final examinations and to prepare for next week’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Division 1 Regional at Keene Trace Golf Club in Lexington, Kentucky. She will hope to help the Pepperdine Waves women’s golf team qualify for the NCAA National Championships from May 16-21 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
The Chevron Championship was won by Japan’s rising star Mao Saigo, who claimed her maiden LPGA Tour title and first Major victory. The 23-year-old won a five-way play-off with China's Yin Ruoning, Korean Kim Hyo-joo, American Lindy Duncan and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn. The quintet finished regulation play tied on seven-under-par.
Eight amateurs were given invitational starts. Of them, only American Gianna Clemente progressed to the final 36 holes. She eventually finished joint 71st on 10-over-par.
