Indonesian Spirits Lifted by 13-Year-Old Quinn

Jakarta, Indonesia: Jennifer Quinn Effendi delivered a standout performance on the opening day of the Mandiri Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship 2026.

The Indonesian junior golfer carded a six-under-par 66 to take the early lead in the Girls’ Division at Damai Indah Golf, PIK Course, one stroke ahead of Thailand’s Kanyarak Pongpithanon.

“Honestly, I never expected to shoot six-under today. This is my best score since competing in this championship. My approach shots were very sharp, and my putting was excellent, which really helped me achieve this score,” said the 13-year-old from East Java who recorded seven birdies and one bogey.

Despite her tender years, Quinn displayed remarkable consistency. Competing against older and more experienced golfers from various countries did not intimidate her. Instead, she felt motivated and excited to participate in a tournament that has been held for over three decades.

Surprisingly, Quinn currently does not have a coach. “So far, I’ve been learning golf through YouTube. I enjoy watching and studying Nelly Korda’s swing. Her swing is excellent and inspires me to model my game after hers,” she said.

Quinn will need to fight hard to maintain her position at the top with highly-rated Thais Kanyarak (67) and Marisa Tojai (69) leading the chasing pack and hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Prim Prachnakorn, who won the girls’ division title last year.

“I’m very happy to compete in an international tournament like this and to play alongside golfers from other countries,” said 16-year-old Kanyarak.

In the Boys’ division, Warut Boonrod set a blistering pace with a six-under 66, two strokes ahead of fellow-Thai Parin Sarasmut and Denmark’s Noah Lundskaer in joint second place.

“I like this course, although it’s not easy. It’s a beautiful course, and the fairways and greens are playing firm,” said 18-year-old Warut, a two-time participant at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship Academies and represented the International Team at the Junior Presidents Cup in 2024.

“The most important thing is to truly enjoy and be happy with my own game,” said Warut.

Eugene Emmanuel Tanyongjaya of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Foundation (CGF) was the top-performing Indonesian in the Boys’ field, tied for seventh at one-under 71.

In the Development Division, Japanese golfers dominated. Hosono Yamato led the Boys’ category with a two-under 70, followed by Shota Suda (72). In the Girls’ category, Sumire Andau and Yuna Sasaki shared the lead alongside Indonesian Amira Permadi.