Kuala Lumpur: Junior golfer Sarfina Vinota Seretharan could hardly hide her excitement after earning a valuable exemption to the prestigious Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old student of SMK Taman Yarl finished second behind the nation’s top-ranked amateur Aretha Pan Herng in the national qualifier, which concluded today at the East Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC).
Sarfina’s two-day effort of 78 and 73 for a eight-over 151 were enough for her to squeeze ahead of fancied names such as Kelly Tan and professional Ainil Johani Abu Bakar while Aretha confirmed her third consecutive start at the US$1.9 million LPGA event with a resounding closing round of even-par 71 to add to her opening 77.
Overnight leader Kelly, twice the best amateur at past editions of the tournament, struggled to uncharacteristic 81 to finish four shots behind on 155 alongside Michelle Koh (78) and Ainil (80). Aretha, who redeemed herself with a strong finish after a jittery double bogey start, aimed for improvement come the tournament proper in October.
“I am very excited and I hope that I can put forth a better performance this time around. I didn’t strike the ball that well this week but I scrambled well with some up-and-downs. From my last two appearances, I have learnt that course management is crucial if you are to shoot a good score. My distance off the tees is similar to [defending champion] Na-Yeon [Choi] and the other LPGA stars, so if they can go low, I’m sure I can too,” said the 2012 Malaysian Games (SUKMA) ladies champion.
“I will be representing Malaysia at the Espirito Santo Cup (World Amateur Team Championships) in Turkey later this month and it will surely help me raise my game ahead of the LPGA event. I know that I have to work harder on my fitness over the next few weeks as I have to play four full walking rounds here,” added Aretha.
Sarfina was speechless as she pondered the possibility of teeing up alongside her idols Paula Creamer and Ai Miyazato at the tournament proper. “I am really happy, the feeling has yet to sink in but I am thrilled with everything – this is something you can only dream off!” she exclaimed.
“Everything fell into place today, my drives were long and straight, my ironplay was accurate and my short game was terrific. After crossing over, I told myself that if I continued playing steadily, I would have a good chance of qualifying.”
The young lass was delighted that her long spells away from school to sharpen her game has paid off. “It’s going to be really fun and nerve-wrecking at the same time. I’m just going to do the same things that I have been doing but I’m going to talk to Aretha and get some tips from her on how to handle the larger than life occasion,” she said.
In the regional qualifier, Chinese Taipei’s Ssu-chia Cheng topped the standings despite a final round of 77 for a two-day haul of 149. Her compatriot Min Lee also booked a return trip to Kuala Lumpur after claiming second place on countback, eliminating Thailand’s Ajira Nualraksa (75-76) with a better final round score of 72 after both had finished on 151.
Leading final round scores (National Qualifier)
148 – Aretha Pan Herng (77-71)
151 – Sarfina Vinota (78-73)
155 – Michelle Koh (77-78), Ainil Johani Abu Bakar (75-80), Kelly Tan Guat Chen (74-81)
158 – Diana Tham Shen Yen (80-78)
164 – Shareen Rena Lai (79-85)
165 – Hillferah Tan (82-83)
166 – Isza Fariza Ismail (85-81), Kelie Kan Kah Yan (82-84)
167 -Genevieve Ling (82-85), Asha Lakshme Balakrishnan (80-87)
Leading final round scores (Regional Qualifier)
149 – Ssu-Chia Cheng (TPE) 72-77
151 – Min Lee (TPE) 79-72, Ajira Nualraksa (THA) 75-76
152 – Aunchisa Utama (THA) 75-77
153 – Tiranan Yoopan (THA) 75-78
155 – Tanaporn Kongkiatkrai (THA) 74-81
158 – Chen Min Jou (TPE) 78-80
159 – Ruangthiwa Pangjan (THA) 80-79, Valerie Tan (BRU) 74-85
176 – Jessica Ang Pei Pei (SIN) 86-90
