Ting of greatness – Mirabel driven by love, guided by loss

POISE under pressure. Not many athletes have it in them, especially while they are still in the early years of their career.

But this is where teenager Mirabel Ting shines as she takes on far more seasoned competitors and showing signs of her ability to become the next Malaysian women’s golf star.

Only 20 and coming from Sarawak, Mirabel raised eyebrows by making the transition to professional golf in July, just one year before her graduation at Florida State University in the United States.

To many, it may be construed as a rushed decision but to Mirabel, she was moved to do so in honour of three close family members who have passed away – her father, grandmother and grandfather.

Her grandfather Ng Siaw Pheng was the person who introduced Mirabel to the sport when she was a child and always hoped she would turn professional and compete at the highest level.

He was a significant source of support throughout her amateur career, even funding her early tournament schedules and boarding school tuition in Australia.

She then made her professional debut at the Amundi Evian Championship, a Major tournament on the LPGA Tour.

Her grandfather passed away just days before her professional debut, after she had returned home to tell him the news.

She has since achieved her maiden professional win on the PGM Tour later and dedicated the victory to her late grandfather.

“I think I’m playing for something bigger than myself this week. My dad, my grandma and recently my grandpa passed away, so I’m playing for them.

“I feel like whatever results I achieve, whether I miss the cut or make the cut, it doesn’t really matter. It’s more about honouring all three of them. Regardless of the result, I think they’ll be proud of me,” she said back in July.

Mirabel earned her spot in the Final Stage of LPGA Q-School in style by sharing the top position in the Second Stage of Q-School two weeks ago.

Mirabel certainly has made history in every step of her amateur career. She stood out in the highly competitive US collegiate golf scene with five victories earlier this year and was ranked second in the world, the highest placing ever achieved by a Malaysian golfer.

Mirabel became the first Malaysian and first Asian player to win the prestigious Annika Award in the 2024-2025 season, which honours the top female US collegiate golfer.

Her college coach has mentioned that Mirabel is the “best ball striker” they had seen.

Mirabel herself emphasises staying patient and not looking at the leaderboard, a mindset that should serve her well in high stakes environments.

So can she handle the expectations as a playing pro and become the first Malaysian winner on the LPGA Tour in the future?

It may not be her time tomorrow but Mirabel surely has what it takes to pounce on it in the near future.