PETALING JAYA: An eagle was a consolation for golfer Ashley Lau as she ended her campaign in her first Olympics in 55th spot.
The 24-year-old carded 18-over 306 after hitting a forgettable quintuple bogey in the 13th hole on the back nine during the fourth round at the Le Golf National on Saturday.
The Bintulu-born golfer completed the final round at six-over 78 while the first round was her best where she carded even par 72 before trouble brewed in the second (five-over 77) and the third round (seven-over 79) at the Albatros course, termed as the beast.
“I just wanted to finish strong and it was a good feeling to finish the tournament with an eagle,” said Ashley. “Honestly, I was pretty good over the four days but there were a few holes that I messed up.
“After the nine at the 13th, my caddie said that there are only another five more holes left and asked me to go out there and just have fun and that’s what I did. I just keep it calm and finish it.”
Ashley also received some soothing words from Datuk Nicol David, the Malaysian contingent’s deputy chief de mission, who urged the Sarawakian to make use of the experience to continue improving as a professional.
“Ashley, it’s your first Olympics and you had to handle everything that was thrown at you over the last four days but still you didn’t give up,” tweeted Nicol.
“There is so much more to look forward to because you have the potential in you to take it to the next level for Malaysia.”
It may have been frustrating four days but it was the first time Ashley had played in a world class field and that experience would be handy when she steps up to play in bigger events later in her career.
The Albatros, guarded by 10 water hazards in 18 holes, lived up to its ferocity where the best in business, world No. 1 and defending champion Nelly Korda of the United States could only finish on joint 22nd with one-under 287 while her compatriot Lilia Vu, the world No. 2, was at a lower joint 36th (five-over 293).
However, the evergreen Lydia Ko of New Zealand used her experience of winning a medal at the two previous Olympics to finally land the gold with a 10-under 278.
Germany’s Esther Henseleit secured a surprise silver with eight-under 280 while China’s Janet Lin gave Asia something to shout about by clinching the bronze medal by carding a seven-under 279.
