Sime Darby LPGA starts for Aretha & Ainil

The four qualifiers for the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011 (©Khalid Redza/IMG)

Kuala Lumpur: Aretha Pan and Ainil Johani Abu Bakar will tee off alongside some of the world’s best lady golfers this October after finishing as the top two local finishers in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia qualifier earlier today.

Aretha and Ainil carded identical rounds of 79 today for a two-day total of 16-over 158 to earn themselves a place in the US1.9 million event alongside Thailand’s Porani Chutichai and Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai, who topped the leaderboard with scores of six-over 148 (73-75) and seven-over 149 (74-75) respectively.

Aretha, who finished tied 57th at last year’s tournament, in what was her first appearance in a professional tournament, was excited to gain a second chance to prove herself.  “I can’t quite believe I qualified today but I’m extremely excited to be back here at KLGCC next month as part of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011 field. I was feeling very nervous going into the last few holes but managed to hold my nerve. My aim for the tournament is to finish inside the top 30 like Kelly Tan did last year,” said the 18-year-old Sabahan.

Turning professional last year, 21-year-old Ainil will look forward to making her presence on the LPGA Tour known. “I was hitting better today but didn’t play well for a few holes. Luckily I managed to recover and maintain my score. This has given me a lot of confidence for the upcoming tournament. I can’t wait to play in this year’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia,” exclaimed Ainil.

Top qualifier Porani – a regular in the China LPGA – will be eyeing a top-40 finish on her return to the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club’s East Course from October 13-16. “I was happy with my performance today. Last year I missed qualifying by a few strokes so it feels good to succeed this year. I know the course quite well and this will help me with my performance during the tournament. I look forward to being back here very soon!” she shared.

Tanaporn echoed her compatriot’s excitement for participation in the tournament. “I played extremely well on the front nine, and am really excited to be playing in an LPGA tournament in October. I want to play to the best of my ability and hope I do my country proud! It has been a great event here over the last few days.”

The qualifiers account for four of the sponsors’ ten exemptions and will now have the opportunity to test their skills against the top 62 players from the LPGA Money List (as of 14th September) and six other sponsors’ exemptions, which includes US-based Malaysian professional Jean Chua and top national amateur Kelly Tan in the improved 72-hole, four-day event.

In another development ahead of the tournament, senior vice president and global co-managing director of IMG Golf Robbie Henchman announced today that the top ten players in the Rolex World Standings have confirmed participation for the second edition of the event, promising a stellar field for local golf fans.

Final scores (Malaysians in italic)
148 Porani Chutichai (THA) 73-75
149 Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai (THA) 74-75
150 Rungthiwa Pangjan (THA) 77-73
151 Kim Hei Ji (KOR) 75-76, Patcharajutar Kongkraphan (THA) 74-77
153 Tiranan Yoopan (THA) 75-78
155 Thidapa Suwanapura (THA) 78-77
156 Jaruporn Palakawong (THA) 79-77
158 Valerie Tan (BRU) 79-79, Aretha Pan Herng 79-79, Ainil Johani Abu Bakar 79-79
159 Janice Ling Hui Shin 84-75
165 Heng Su Ann (SIN) 80-85
166 Loy Hee Ying (82-84)
167 Diana Tham Sue Yen (85-82), Yong Mei Khuan (85-82), Nur Musfirah Ilham Armalis (83-84)
173 Genevieve Ling I-Rynn (91-82), Shareen Rena Lai (89-84)
174 Kalpana Devi Suppiah (83-91)