Sarawak golfers Ashley Lau, Mirabel Ting to compete with world’s best at Maybank Championship

KUCHING (Oct 23): Sarawak’s first woman professional and Olympian golfer Ashley Lau Jen Wen and rising star Mirabel Ting Ern Hui will compete with the world’s best at the Maybank Championship.

To be held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf Country Club (KLGCC) from tomorrow until Sunday, the second edition of the Maybank Championship is sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

Both talents have been extended sponsor’s invitations by Maybank to play in the US$3 million (RM12.93 million) LPGA Tour event and are set to hit the greens alongside the world’s best including Maybank Championship 2023 champion Celine Boutier of France, World No. 2 Lilia Vu of the US, recently crowned BMW Ladies Championship winner Hannah Green of Australia, 2024 Amundi Evian Championship winner Ayaka Furue of Japan, and former World No. 1 Yin Ruoning of China.

“I think this shows that Sarawak is doing something right to build up young talent. We were both on the Sarawak Golf Association (SGA) team since we were young, so (this) just shows they’re doing something right, and I’m very glad to represent Sarawak out here,” said Ashley.

Echoing Ashley, Mirabel said: “I knew Ashley since I was very young and sometimes, I do put her as my idol. To be able to play with her this week is going to be special. And for the both of us to represent Sarawak and Malaysia at the same time, we’re both really proud!”

Ashley and Mirabel make up half of the Malaysian contingent at this year’s Maybank Championship, along with Liyana Durisic and Durriyah Damian, who both secured their spots through the Maybank Championship Asean Qualifier.

Forming part of the LPGA Tour’s late year Asian swing, the Maybank Championship is a 72-hole, no-cut event.