KUALA LUMPUR: Loy Hee Ying’s brilliant run of form continued as the nation’s top-ranked lady amateur strolled to victory at the Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) Ladies Amateur Open on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Johorean totalled 11-under 208 on the back of rounds of 71, 69 and 68 on the par-73 composite East Course to retain her title in imperious fashion.
Brunei-based Vanessa Bouvet (69-73-76) came in second while another Malaysian national Nur Durriyah Damian (72-74-75), was three strokes adrift in third on 221.
Loy, who will headline the country’s challenge at the South East Asia (SEA) Games next month, emerged as the first golfer since Lim Ai Lian (1997 & 1998) to complete a successful title defence.
“It’s always a challenge to defend any title but I played some solid golf this week and I’m delighted with my winning total. I managed the course well and my ball striking opened up a lot of birdie opportunities, which I gladly converted despite the slippery greens,” noted the 2016 Malaysian Games gold medallist.
The East Tennessee State Athletics sophomore is not lacking in confidence with eight top-ten finishes this season, including two victories at the River Landing Classic and The Brickyard Intercollegiate
“I had a great year State-side and it’s good to know that I’ve brought that winning form home! Off-season, my focus has really been on the scoring side of my game and this win is a good starting point – especially with the SEA Games just around the corner,” added Loy who sits just outside the top 100 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
In the team event for the Piala Datin Azlin, the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA) trio of Durriyah, Winnie Ng Yu Xuan and Qistina Balqis Azhar emerged victorious with a 296 overall.
The country’s oldest ladies amateur meet attracted a field of 74 players, including the Vietnamese SEA Games squad.
Leading final results (Par-73)
208 – Loy Hee Ying 71-69-68
218 – Vanessa Bouvet (FRA) 69-73-76
221 – Nur Durriyah Damian 72-74-75
226 – Winnie Ng Yu Xuan 76-75-75
227 – Warda Amira Abd Rawof 75-75-77
230 – Liyana Durisic 78-77-75, Nguyen Thao My (VIE) 75-79-76
231 – Geraldine Wong Xiao Xuan 74-80-77
233 – Hanako Kawasaki (VIE) 80-76-77, Zulaikha Nurziana Nasser 77-79-77
234 – Qistina Balqis Azhar 75-77-82
235 – Norezrina Alisa Che Omar 79-80-76