The Malaysian aces: (from left) Liyana Durisic, Genevieve Ling, Kelly Tan, Ashley Lau, Mirabel Ting
KUALA LUMPUR: The weight and the expectation of a nation is on their shoulders, but the Malaysian golfers are taking it in their stride and just want to give their very best at the Maybank Championship that begins on Thursday (Oct) at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The five golfers leading the Malaysian charge at KLGCC are Olympians
The five are Olympians Kelly Tan and Ashley Lau, well-supported by the impressive Mirabel Ting, together with youngsters Liyana Durisic and Genevieve Ling. The five golfers are determined to prove their worth and show local fans they can match some of the very players of the world at the region's top women's tournament.
Two-time Olympian Kelly said it is always an honour playing for the country, and more so when you are representing Malaysia in a home tournament.
“Always an honor, I feel like representing Malaysia. We do this week in and week out, even though we are kind of based in the US, and it's just a lot of fun to be able to do what you love and represent your country playing at home soil, playing in front of family and friends, Malaysian fans," said a very calm Kelly during the press conference for the KLGCC tournament.
"For me, I always believe Malaysia has really good golf fans. They're all very excited. So, yeah, super excited to play, tee it up tomorrow, and have hopefully a good week.”
Ashley will be much remembered for the fact that not only did she make her Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, but also she was the flag bearer of Malaysia at the Summer Olympics closing ceremony. Also in 2024, she won the Women's Victorian Open and was runner-up at the Epson Tour Championship.
On her prep and mindset going into the first day of the Maybank Championship, Ashley said: “For me, I kind of analysed my statistics from just this year, what I was weaker in, so kind of working on that. And I think just for this week, I'll try not to do too much. I know when a big week comes, we try to do too much and then we get burned out really quickly. So that was a big key for me, just not doing too much and having a good run here.”
Meanwhile, Mirabel, among the top amateur players in the world before turning pro this year, stood out in last year's edition of the Maybank Championship, finishing joint 12th.
She won many hearts as a newbie last year, but this year, she is now a pro and will be a much-followed golfer at the course.
But Malaysia's rising star said she is here just to give a good performance and do well in the tournament.
“Nothing really changed at all. I'm still playing the same golf. I'm still trying to hit the ball. It doesn't change the fact that I'm an amateur or a professional. I still treat the game the same way. I'm just trying to get out there and do the best I can," added the determined Mirabel.
Meanwhile, Liyana is entering the championship in good standing after her win at The Ladies Tournament at the Mines Resort and Golf Club two weeks ago. This will be the 23-year-old Liyana's second LPGA Tour appearance, following her debut as an amateur at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in 2017.
“Last week at the Ladies (Golf Tournament), I just played really well and was very mentally stable," said Liyana.
"I think I'm just trying to bring that into this week as well. Last year, I was trying too hard, doing too much, putting too much pressure on myself. This week, coming from Ladies, I should be able to handle myself much better.”
As for Genevieve, she is literally playing in her home. An ambassador for KLGCC, she regularly trains at the club and is very familiar with the course. But at the same time, making her debut in the event, Genevieve is aware of the need to manage expectations and maintain her composure for the tournament.
“Yeah, I think it is all about good thoughts. I don't think I've ever had bad thoughts about the course. I play and practice out here, so I kind of know what I can do. With the conditions as well , they're pure, so it's almost like me controlling myself because I know how I can go out there with great conditions with the way the course is looking. So, yeah, just be patient and one shot at a time," she said.
In short, the five Malaysian golf princesses are ready for the grand show starting soon, and they are determined to give it all for the country.
This year's Maybank Championship will feature a strong 78-woman field vying for the title at the US$3 million (RM12.6 million) showpiece, which is also a no-cut event.
Some of the other big names teeing off this week are World No.1 Jeeno Thitikul, 2024 Olympic champion Lydia Ko, together with defending champion Yin Ruoning of China and 2024 champion Celine Boutier of France. Others who are expected to be the show-stoppers include the likes of Australian Grace Kim, winner of the Evian Championship in July; rising Japanese star Miyu Yamashita, who won the AIG Women's British Open in August; and English sensation Lottie Woad, who clinched the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open in her first professional start in July.
