Teen golfers Natasha Onn, Winnie Ng ready for LPGA Malaysia debut

Amateur golfers Natasha Andrea Onn and Winnie Ng Yu Xuan are all set to rub shoulders with the best of world at the 2016 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia from Oct 27-30 at TPC Kuala Lumpur, here.

Winnie, 15, and Natasha, 14, confirmed their berths after emerging the top two under-16 players at the two-day qualifying event at the same venue today, to feature in the US$1.8 million (RM7.44 million) event to challenge the current top three in the world - Lydia Ko of New Zealand, Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Canada's Brooke Henderson.

Winnie claimed her spot after finishing in fourth place with nine above par 151 while Natasha ended up eighth with 12 above par 154.

"I am very excited because it will be my biggest tournament and of course my first LPGA event. After this I will continue my training to improve my performance and need to get back to school too," Winnie, a student of Tuanku Ja'afar College, Mantin told reporters after the announcement on their entries, here, today.

Meanwhile, Natasha, who will warm up in the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open from Oct 11-13, has a plan at TPC Kuala Lumpur.

"When watching the world's best Jessica (Korda) and Lydia on the first day, I will be amazed. If I come across them, I will try to strike some conversation and get some advice because you're not going to experience this all the time," she said.

In the two-day qualifiers, overnight leader Aretha Pan claimed victory after carding two above par 144 while Nur Durriyah Damian finished second in 147, three strokes better than third placed Ashley Lau Jen Wen, to book their spot in the LPGA event next month.

"Today was very tough compared to yesterday...I need to focus practicing in the shorter distance like 100 yards to deliver better results. This will be my fifth year in the LPGA Malaysia, so I really hope to play well," Aretha said.

Along with the five Malaysians, world's top three and defending champion Jessica, South Korean trio Sei Young Kim, In Gee Chun and Amy Yang as well as Anna Nordqvist, Brittany Lang, Haru Nomura and Stacy Lewis will also participate in the 72-hole stroke play no cut tournament at the East course. -- Bernama