KUALA LUMPUR: Mirabel Ting cemented her status as Malaysia’s leading golfer after finishing as the country’s best performer at the Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
Despite enduring a frustrating day with the flat stick, she signed off with an under-par final round to finish tied for 48th on five-under-par 283, earning US$11,392 (RM46,231).
“It was a tough day, especially seeing putts not drop, but finishing under par is a positive,” said the 21-year-old Sarawakian.
“At the end of the day, being the best Malaysian does not matter as much to me as knowing I did my best, kept my routine solid, and made progress. It was a week with plenty of reflection and lessons.”
Having secured her LPGA Tour playing rights for next season, Mirabel is already mapping out her rookie campaign, with upcoming tournaments in China followed by an Australian warm-up swing before competing alongside her sister on tour.
The Sarawakian also reiterated her ambition of representing Malaysia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she hopes to pursue the country’s maiden golf medal.
Fellow Malaysian LPGA professional Natasha Andrea Oon also found renewed confidence on home soil after an arduous year of rebuilding, finishing tied for 56th on two-under-par 286 to collect US$8,693.
After a slow start on Thursday and Friday, Natasha produced a spirited weekend turnaround, jokingly crediting her improved ball-striking to reviewing swing footage on the driving-range tablet with her caddie.
“I guess I am an iPad kid on the driving range,” quipped
Natasha.
“I looked back at my coaching videos and figured out the swing move I needed. More than anything, it was wonderful having the warmth of the home crowd.
“After a rough year of travel, not having to worry about a cut and just letting loose and seeing familiar faces was deeply special.”
Meanwhile, two-time Olympian Kelly Tan brought her professional tour career to an emotional close, finishing tied for 75th on six-over-par 294 to earn US$5,628.
The 33-year-old received a sweet farewell on the 18th green after announcing her retirement from full-time competitive golf following 13 years on tour.
Other results see Liyana Durisic, who led the Malaysian charge on T hursday, end in tied 66th with two-over-par 290 to pocket US$6,596 while Genevieve Ling finished in 76th with nine-over-par 297, earning her US$5,556.