Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian professionals Jean Chua and Ainil Johani Abu Bakar prefer to stay under radar ahead of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which tees-off on Thursday.
The duo, who alongside amateurs Aretha Pan Herng and Sarfina Vinota Seretharan, make up the domestic line-up in the 72-player field understand that they will have to deal with the pressure of heightened expectations from the strong local galleries that are expected to throng the East Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club for the US$1.9 million LPGA tournament.
While excited at the prospects of playing in front of her home fans, Chua who will lead the local charge for the third year running knows that playing under pressure can prove to be unnerving.
“Coming home definitely means a lot to me and this event has always been the highlight of the year. It’s my third year, but still, it’s never the same playing in front of my country, my family and my friends,” said the Symetra Tour regular.
“It’s definitely a big difference playing in this tournament. Playing with the top 60 in the world, the competition level is unbelievable. Being one of the younger ones and representing Malaysia, you do definitely have a lot of pressure. People expect you to perform well but you’ve really got to try to just focus and play your own game,” admitted Chua.
Chua finished 15th on the final Symetra Tour standings and despite missing out on a full LPGA Tour card for 2013, the 25-year-old intends on building on her four top-10 finishes with another solid display this week.
“I started off the year pretty strong despite it being my first full year on the [Symetra] Tour. I only had a partial exemption last year so it has been a great year in terms of experience. I was top-10 for most of the year even though the finish was less than desirable. But on the hindsight, my stats and everything has improved,” noted Chua, who nonetheless gained a full exempt into final stage of the LPGA Qualifying School next month.
Banking on experience from the last two editions of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, the cheerful lass admits that her expectations are much more measured.
“It’s interesting because it’s been a different story every time. The first year I came back, had no idea who I’m playing with, had no idea, just came back and just played my game, had a solid tournament. Coming into the last hole I guess nerves go into me and I lost myself for a while – here I was playing my first-ever LPGA tournament and I was in the ranked in the top-15. That was something I probably won’t ever forget – even I try to,” smiled Chua, who needed eleven shots to finish her closing hole to slump to an eight-over 221 total.
“I think last year, I focused a lot more on playing for the people. I think I tried too hard to measure up to how I did the previous year and tried to play the same game instead of just doing what I try to playing my golf.
“So I think this year, I would have to focus more on just playing my game, not trying to compete with the girls or try to measure up, the length or the shots, just do what I can do and score well and do just how I did this year,” she added.
Ainil is cherishing the valuable exemption granted to her to tee-off alongside some of biggest name in women’s golf for the second year running.
“I have been working on my game with my coach and it’s going to be a great week,” shared Ainil, who will have her coach Tony Maloney on the bag this week. “Tony and I had two good practice rounds here and we devised some strategies on how to play the course. I feel very comfortable going into the week, it helps having someone I really trust caddying for me and so I’m hoping for a great outing,” she added.
The 22-year-old is gunning to make amends for her dismal maiden appearance last year, when she finished sole 71st but prefers to remain mum on her target for the third edition of the premier event.
“Last year, I wasn’t ready mentally to face the expectations that come with playing at home and especially, from the people around me. This year, I’m bringing a steely resolve to the week, I’m not thinking about anything other than doing my best and in that line, improving on my finish last year.
“I’ve set no particular target for myself as I have three more tournaments before the end of 2012, so the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is definitely going to be a stepping stone for the future,” shared the burgeoning lady professional, who plies her trade mainly on the regional Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT).
