KUALA LUMPUR : THAILAND’S Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul was on cloud nine on Wednesday, having secured her place in one of Asia’s leading women’s golf tournaments following her one shot victory in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Regional Qualifier at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The 15-year-old from Khon Kaen, Thailand posted scores of 76 and 73 over the two-day competition to finish on seven over 149 and claim a one shot win over Dianne Luke from Malaysia.
A further two shots back was Sarfina Seretharan who recorded a total of 152 over two days play on the East Course.
Kanphanitnan managed to maintain her form from Round 1 as the second-placed golfer overnight in the clubhouse, to claim victory, picking up one birdie on the tenth and bogeys on 1, 17 and 18.
A jubilant Kanphanitnan, who turned professional last year and has qualified for the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia for the first time, said: “I am very excited to win the qualifier and look forward to coming back to Malaysia for my first LPGA event.”
Second place Dianne, who scored 75 in the second round, said: “I thought I played my best. I was positive towards the round and I kept trying to give myself chances to possibly win it, but in the end it didn’t turn out that way.
“I did well on hole 12. I drove it OK and hit my second shot into the rock on the left under the tree but it wasn’t in my way and I hit it at about three feet. It was my climax and the only birdie.”
KLGCC general manager Steven Thielke congratulated Kanphanitnan on behalf of Sime Darby Foundation and the tournament committee.
“She will join an elite field made up of the very best players in the world and does so knowing that she will be there solely on merit following her success in the qualifier.
Twelve players from Malaysia and the region competed in the regional qualifier for the single place in the starting line up for the 2014 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
The change in format, which pitted players from all nations against one another in one competition, follows the decision to grant six Malaysian professionals — dubbed the Malaysian Angels — automatic entries into the 2014 edition of the tournament; subject to their meeting R&A approved qualification criteria.
Michelle Koh, Ainil Bakar, Michele Low, Kelly Tan, Jean Chua and Aretha Pan have all received sponsor exemptions to the US$2 million (RM6.4 million) tournament ensuring that local fans have plenty to cheer about when the tournament returns to its home at the KLGCC on Oct 9-12.
The final five sponsor exemption places will be announced the week prior to the tournament.
The fifth edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia will take place on the East Course at KLGCC.
A total of 75 players, 63 from the LPGA tour, six Malaysians and a further six sponsor exemptions (including the winner of the regional qualifier) will compete in the 72-hole stroke play, no cut tournament for one of the largest prize purses in Asia.