Foong Claims Tense Play-off Win at Glenmarie

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: It was an emotional triumph for Foong Zi Yu at the 40th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open, as the Malaysian national team stalwart edged compatriot Amberly Zaira Zamri in a nail-biting play-off at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.

Having come agonisingly close last year with a runner-up finish, Foong kept her nerve to claim the prestigious title for the first time with a par on the third extra hole.

The duo had finished 54 holes of regulation play tied on one-under-par 215 at Glenmarie’s Garden Course, venue for numerous high-profile events, including the EurAsia Cup from 2014 to 2018.

Foong carded a closing 71 to overnight leader Amberly’s 73 in an exciting final round, with the last three regulation holes resulting in a four-shot swing. Foong birdied the tough par-four 18th, while Amberly made double-bogey at the 16th and dropped another shot on the closing hole.

The win was a confidence-booster for 21-year-old Foong, who will be heading into her senior year at the University of Nevada. For Amberly, who is 17, the runner-up finish underlined her potential as one of the rising young talents of Malaysian golf.

Sharing third place on four-over-par 220 were Singapore’s Valencia Chang and Malaysian Wang Xin Yao, while highly-rated Thai teenager Marisa Tojai settled for fifth a shot further back.

Indonesian Elaine Widjaja, Leung Hei-tung of Hong Kong, China, and the Indian duo of Ceerat Kang and Guntas Kaur Sandhu were joint sixth on six-over-par 222.

Organised by the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association, the 40th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open attracted 120 players from 12 countries and territories – Brunei, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

The tournament was supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Tradewinds Corporation Berhad.