Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Rising Thailand talent Namo Luangnitikul powered her way to a first international title with an impressive victory in the 39th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open.
Opening her campaign with an even-par 72 at the challenging Templer Park Country Club, Namo seized control of the tournament with a scintillating second round of six-under 66. The 16-year-old signed off with a 74 for a 54-hole total of four-under 212, four shots clear of first round leader Foong Zi Yu of Malaysia (71-72-73).
Indonesia’s top female amateur Elaine Widjaja was third on one-over 217 (74-73-70), two shots ahead of Malaysian Wang Xin Yao (73-72-74) and Thailand’s Kanyarak Pongpithanon (72-72-75).
Having chalked up a number of runner-up finishes in recent tournaments, including the Vietnam Amateur Open, Namo was elated at claiming her first overseas win.
“My second place streak is gone, which is good! I’m really happy and proud of myself for winning the Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open. I wasn’t striking the ball as well today as yesterday, but I managed to save par most of the time,” said the Phuket native, who aims to compete on the collegiate circuit in the United States.
Chinese Taipei’s Tiffany Huang Ting-hsuan, winner of the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, settled for sixth place on six-over 222 (76-74-72).
The Mid-Amateur event was won by Malaysia’s Anis Sofea with a total of 236 (84, 75, 77), while the Senior title went to Chinese Taipei’s Fiona Chung Zimmerman on a countback from former Malaysian national player Gunaningsih Budi Utomo. The duo finished 36 holes tied on 167.
The 39th edition of the tournament, organised by the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association, attracted a strong field of 89 players from 15 countries. This year’s championship was staged in conjunction with Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and was supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports through the Subang Golf Course Corporation. Malaysia’s Minster of Youth & Sports, Hannah Yeoh, attended the prize-giving and closing ceremony.
