Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open (MLAO) will not lack in quality or keen competition despite a smaller field turning up for the 31st edition of the championship, which tees off tomorrow at Sungai Long Golf & Country Club.
Seventy-two players from 13 countries will contest the 54-hole championship with over 50% of the field comprising of Division 1 players, who will challenge for the Tuanku Ampuan Negeri Sembilan Trophy.
Thailand’s Ornnicha Konsunthea, Kiwi Munchin Keh, Gavrilla Arya of Indonesia, India’s Gauri Monga and Australian Victoria Fricot will start as the early favourites with nationals Nur Durriyah Damian, Dianne Luke and Kelie Kan looking to emulate the likes of past home winners Lim Siew Ai, Lim Ai Lian, Jean Chua, Michelle Koh, Diana Tham and defending champion Kelly Tan, who has since turned professional.
The domestic challenge will be further bolstered by United States-based collegiate players Asha Lakshme Balakrishnan,Vivienne Chin and Genevieve Ling I-Rynn, who are back on their summer break.
*The 31st MLAO promises to be another exciting tournament as the tournament has earned itself a reputation all over the Asia Pacific region as one of the most prestigious ladies amateur championship with a reputable field,” said Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA) president HH Tunku Puteri Tunku Puan Sri Dato’ Seri Jawahir Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar.
Notable absentees include regional powerhouse Chinese Taipei, South East Asia (SEA) Games champions Philippines as well as participants from neighbouring Singapore, who are playing in their national amateur championship this week.”
“The scheduling of the event in August – away from its traditional May date – meant that a few nations pulled out or were unable to send their best players, given that most of the region is gearing towards the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing or the Incheon Asian Games next month,” noted MALGA executive director Dato’ Rabeahtul Aloya Abbas, adding that the change of dates was unavoidable, given that MALGA had undertaken to host the 36th Asia Pacific Ladies Invitational Golf Team Championship for the Queen Sirikit Cup in April.
