Hong Kong, China’s Lau Walks Tall at Torrey Pines

California, United States: Arianna Lau barely had time to gather her thoughts after claiming the Girls 15-18 title at the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships – a first for a player from Hong Kong, China.

There were hugs from her mother, official duties as a freshly minted world champion but soon enough it was back down to work as around 24 hours after lifting the trophy at Torrey Pines, Lau had to shift attention to the next piece of business on her agenda - the US Girls' Junior Championship.

Lau, winner of the Girls’ title at last year’s Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Championships, said: “I haven’t had a lot of time to process it actually, because I play my next event in two days. But it was very special.

“It’s a tournament I have always wanted to win before I enter college so I’m really happy, and now I am excited about the week ahead.”

The take-aways from last week’s heroics are many, among them the full-on experience of playing 36 holes in a day, following schedule changes forced on tournament organisers due to fog delays on Day Two. By the end of that long day, Lau drained a par putt that sealed a one-stroke victory and an 11-under-par total of 205 (70-66-69).

It was tough, said Lau, but she also came away with more appreciation of how much her game has developed both physically and mentally.

She said: “Going into the final round, I was tied for the lead and even though I really wanted to win, I didn’t put a lot of pressure on myself because I knew that my performance was already good.

“I knew that as long as I did my best with every shot, and I did all I could to prepare, then there was nothing to be afraid of, and there would be no regrets.

“I just treated every shot the same and I kept really focused and determined but also relaxed. It was very challenging because 36 holes requires a lot of mental focus because you’re going to be fatigued, both physically and mentally. But I just stayed really calm.”

Lau also successfully defended the Girls 15-18 team title, finishing tied for first with Japan alongside her regular Hong Kong, China team-mate Sophie Han, who is also stepping out to play the US Girls' Junior Championship this week.

Han finished eighth in the IMG Academy Worlds’ individual section on eight-under 211 (71-67-73).

Ahead for the pair awaits a field of 156 players from 12 countries and territories and a tournament that in recent years has been won by the likes of Rose Zhang and Minjee Lee.

Lau said: “Sophie is a great player and the Hong Kong, China team did very well at the IMG this year. Everyone’s doing great and when you speak to the young players they all have clear goals. It puts everyone in a strong position for the future.”

In the Boys 15-18 at the IMG, Hong Kong, China’s Luke Brandler rode a final-round, six-under 66 into a tie for third at Torrey Pines South, signing off on a one-under 215 (79-70-66).

It was a huge tournament for Hong Kong, China as Sabrina Wong finished in a tie for second in the Girls 11-12 tournament, signing off on a four-under 212 (70-69-73) at The Heights Golf Club to leave her two shots off eventual winner, Victoria Xin of New Zealand.

In the Girls 13-14, Alanna Tee finished the tournament at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo in 10th spot with a one-under 218 (71-70-77), while Chan Yin-hang finished in a tie for sixth in the Boys 13-14 with a two-over 215 (72-68-75) across the El Camino CC.

*Article by Matthew Scott