PETALING JAYA: Mirabel Ting (pic) overcame a high fever to begin 2026 in strong fashion with a tied runner-up finish at the China LPGA Tour Qualifying School in Hainan Island, China.
The promising Malaysian rookie pro closed with a three-under 69 at the Shenzhou Peninsula West Course to finish equal second on 288 strokes with Chen Yu-ju of Taiwan, who had a two-under 70.
More importantly, the 20-year-old from Sarawak earned her first full playing rights on the China LPGA Tour.
Despite being under the weather, Mirabel showed her class when it mattered most with a bogey-free final round featuring three birdies yesterday.
Mirabel had struggled with an opening round of 79 before recovering with 69 and 71 respectively.
Shanghai-born Anne Yu snared a 33-foot putt for birdie from off the green at the last hole for a final round 68 and a one-shot victory over Mirabel.
Anne finished on one-under 287 and was the only player to break par on the seaside course.
The top 30 players at the 72-hole tournament received full-time playing cards for the 2026 CLPG Tour season.
Overnight leader Kornkamol Sukaree of Thailand could not build on her three-shot lead, closing with a two-over 74 to finish two shots back.
Mirabel, who was ranked world No. 2 in the women’s amateur golf rankings before making a sudden decision to turn pro in August, was pleased she got her act right when it mattered.
“I had a slow start today but overall, it’s still a good day of golf. I was bogey free, I only had three birdies and 15 pars. Not too shabby but lots of things to work around to get better on it,” said Mirabel, who was the top United States collegiate player for the 2024-2025 season on the strength of five wins.
“Regardless if I win or not, it doesn’t matter.
‘‘What matters is I enjoy the game, my process is good, I’m doing the right things on the golf course.
“Happy to secure my first CLPGA Tour card. Can’t wait for what’s next.’’
Prior to joining the ranks of the professionals, Mirabel starred for the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s Patsy Hankins Trophy team that triumphed against the European Golf Association in the Solheim Cup-style match play event in the United Arab Emirates last January.
