Ice-Cool Huang Trumps Big-Hitting Thai Rival

Pattaya, Thailand: Huang Ting-hsuan produced a brilliant final-day birdie barrage to claim victory in the fourth Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship.

While her rivals faltered over the Waterside Course at Siam Country Club, the 17-year-old from Chinese-Taipei snared six birdies over the last 10 holes, including a fabulous up-and-down for four in driving rain at the long 18th to put the seal on the biggest win of her career.

With a closing three-under-par 69, Huang, who held a share of the lead heading into the final round, posted a four-day aggregate of 11-under-par 277.

That was two strokes in front of big-hitting Thai Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, who led for much of the day but ultimately had to settle for second place for the second year in succession. She closed with a 71 but was three-over for the last seven holes.

A further two shots back in joint third place were Korean Lee Hyo-song, Japan’s Yuna Araki and Rianne Malixi from the Philippines.

Japan’s Saki Baba, the highest-rated player in the field at number three in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), belatedly found her range with a sparkling six-under 66 that lifted her into equal sixth spot with Chinese-Taipei’s Lu Hsin-yu and Korean Lim Ji-yoo.

Lim, the joint overnight leader, endured a turbulent day that included a 10 on the sixth and a last-hole eagle-three as she signed off with a 74.

Defending champion Mizuki Hashimoto, half-way leader here, carded a 71 made up of 17 pars and a solitary birdie to end in a share of ninth place on 283.

But the day belonged to Huang, who began the week in 83rd place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and refused to be bowed despite being frequently outdriven by her Thai playing partner by more than 30 yards.

While all those around her were losing their heads on a tense final day, Huang remained composed throughout - even after falling four shots off the pace when Natthakritta holed out for an eagle-two at the third hole.

Huang, who has notched up nine wins and 23 top-10 finishes in the last two years, is committed to UCLA next year and has secured places in two Major championships – the AIG Women’s Open and the Amundi Evian Championship – as well as the Hana Financial Group Championship and an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA).
 
“To be able to play in Majors is really a dream come true for me. I’d like to thank The R&A and the APGC for giving us this opportunity,” said Huang, after being presented with the Rad-Vadee T. Suwan Medal.
 
“I did not have any expectations coming into this week. I just wanted to play good golf and enjoy myself on the golf course. To be able to do this is amazing.”

The WAAP has been developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to inspire future generations of women golfers and provides the champion with an unparalleled launchpad early in their career through exemptions into multiple women’s major championships and other elite amateur championships.

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship is proudly supported by Rolex, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, Trust Golf, Hana Financial Group and Samsung.

For more information, please visit the championship website at www.randa.org/WAAP