From a Correspondent
Pattaya, Thailand: Chinese Taipei’s Ting-Hsuan Huang bounced back from a slow start to win the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific (WAAP) Championship at Siam Country Club on Sunday.
The 17-year-old Huang made six birdies over the last 11 holes to post a three-under-par 69 for a winning total of 11-under par 277 and claim a first WAAP title for her country.
That was two shots better than home favourite Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, who closed with a one-under-par 71 that included two late bogies.
Sunday also ended a disappointing fortnight in Thailand for India as Nishna Patel finished in a tie for 46th place.
The 16-year-old from Mumbai had rounds of 72, 71, 77 and 76 for an eight-over-296 aggregate after becoming the only one of six Indians in the field to make the 36-hole cut.
Last week too, at the men’s Asia-Pacific Amateur, the Indian contingent ended its campaign with placings well down the order.
Late slip
In her final round on Sunday, Nishna saw her card ruined by a triple-bogey closing hole. The Mumbai schoolgirl had battled to a one-over round till that point after starting the day tied for 44th place.
“A disappointing finish but still a good experience,” Nishna said.
South Korea’s Hyosong Lee matched the best round of the day, a six-under-par 66, and climbed to tied third place on seven-under-par.
She was alongside Japan’s Yuna Araki (69) and Philippine’s Rianne Mikhaela Malixi (72) after 72 holes.
The result secured Huang places in two majors – the AIG Women’s Open and the Amundi Evian Championship – besides the Hana Financial Group Championship and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“To be able to play in majors is really a dream come true for me. I’d like to thank The R&A and the APGC for giving us this opportunity,” said Huang, who has nine wins and 23 top 10 finishes in the last two years.
Amazing experience
“I did not have any expectations coming into this week. I just wanted to play good golf and enjoy myself on the golf course. To be able to do this is amazing.”
Champion last year in Abu Dhabi, Japan’s Mizuki Hashimoto made one birdie and 17 pars in her one-under par final round that tied her for ninth place at five-under par 283.
Saki Baba, the highest-ranked player in the field at number three in the WAGR, finally found her touch and made six in a bogey-free round that elevated her to tied sixth place at six-under par 282. (courtesy randa.org)
Also read: Nishna falls to 44th; four share Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific lead
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