Malaysia’s budding stars eye Spore breakthrough

Jocelyn has shown flashes of good form this season. — Courtesy photo

FOUR Malaysians will tee it up at the Moutai Singapore Ladies Masters at Laguna National Golf Resort Club from Friday, each with something meaningful to play for as the China LPGA Tour season reaches its mid point.

The national spotlight will fall mostly on Jing Xuen “JX” Ng, Malaysia’s highest-ranked player on the China LPGA this year and currently enjoying the best form of her young career.

Her campaign received a welcome boost a fortnight ago when she picked up the Best Rookie award in the Beijing Women’s Open at Orient Pearl Country Club – a nod to her consistency and growing maturity on tour.

Another strong showing in Singapore would only strengthen her position as Malaysia’s leading performer on the China Tour in 2026.

Alongside JX is Liyana Durisic, who arrives with genuine winning pedigree this season.

The 24-year-old has already claimed three titles: the 2026 Women’s World Sand Greens Championship in New South Wales, Australia, and the PGM Tour’s Tun Sarji Trophy at Saujana and the KGPA Ladies Championship.

Her ball striking and confidence have both trended upwards, and she remains Malaysia’s most proven closer in the field.

For Jocelyn Chee and Winnie Ng, the week carries a different kind of window.

Both have shown flashes of high quality golf, but inconsistency has left them well down the Order of Merit – Chee in 52nd and Winnie in 78th.

Retaining their China LPGA playing status for next season will require a meaningful surge in results. A single big week, of course, could change everything, but a steadier climb, built on consecutive made cuts may be the more realistic path.

They will face a field missing the top two names on the Order of Merit – Yijia Ren and amateur Yujie Liu – which opens the door for others to make a move.

That places Thailand’s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, currently second in the standings, as the highest ranked China LPGA player in Singapore.

The long hitting Thai is expected to contend strongly at Laguna National’s Masters Course.

Fellow Thai Kultida Pramphun, effectively third on the list with Liu unranked as an amateur, also shapes as a likely factor.

For the Malaysians, the opportunity is clear: a strong week in Singapore could reshape their seasons. For Jing Xuen and Liyana, it is a chance to consolidate momentum. For Jocelyn and Winnie, it may be the spark that ignites their campaigns.