Malaysia's Jeneath Wong fired up for Royal Porthcawl links test at AIG Women's Open, her third appearance in a Major this year
PORTHCAWL, Mid Glamorgan, Wales: Malaysia's leading amateur Jeneath Wong will be aiming to make it to the weekend at this week's AIG Women's Open, the fifth and final women's Major of the year which starts on Thursday at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales.
Wong will be making her third Major start of 2025, courtesy of exemptions from her gutsy victory at the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship in Vietnam earlier this year.
Having failed to make the cut at The Chevron Championship and The Amundi Evian Championship, the 20-year-old is hoping to round off her Major campaign on a high note.
Wong also bowed out after 36 holes at the 2023 US Women's Open, earning her start through a qualifying tournament.
'Porthcawl is a beautiful course and demands creativity for all shots from tee to green, especially around the greens. My main goal is to make the cut, so I'll just focus on playing a consistent game,' said Wong, who was born in Kuala Lumpur and moved with her family to Melbourne, Australia, at age 10.
Having played links-style courses in Australia since her junior days, Wong is familiar with the type of shots needed to negotiate the windswept and well-bunkered Royal Porthcawl layout.
The petite golfer may not be long off the tees but has a deft short game and strong mental resolve, attributes which served her well during her WAAP victory in March this year at the linksy Hoiana Shores Golf Club.
'It's important to stay out of the pot bunkers and deep rough. Once you're in a bunker, you can't attack the green due to the depth and that will almost automatically cost you a shot,' noted Wong.
'You have to play a totally different game on a links course, so I think it'll be really fun especially around the greens.
"Rather than always hitting a 60-degree, I'll have to hit some bump-and-runs with a longer iron, just playing with the slopes to get my ball close to the hole, as well as just planning on how the ball is going to shape through the wind,' she elaborated.
The experience of playing in the Majors, Wong stressed, has done wonders for her self-confidence.
'I think just playing with the best golfers in the world gave me confidence, to see that I'm up to their level. They still make mistakes like amateurs do, but seeing how they minimize it really opened my eyes, how they can just bounce back so quickly,' she said.
Having had a whirlwind, globe-trotting year so far, Wong is looking forward to heading back to the United States for her senior year with Pepperdine University in California.
'I'm going to head back to the States after the AIG Women's Open to get settled in and resume college, which starts in mid-August. I'm very excited to go back as a senior for my last year at Pepperdine, and to play my last few tournaments and graduate,' said Wong.
Wong tees off at 8.42am in Thursday's first round of the AIG Women's Open, grouped with Australia's Hannah Green and American Rose Zhang. -- LPGA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
T-shirts, medals for those who complete Penang bridge run
(From left) Low, Saw and Lim showing the finisher T-shirts for all three categories that will be given out during Aspen Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon in Batu Kawan. — KT GOH/The Star ALL those who complete Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) on Dec 14 will walk away with a finisher T-shirt and medal. Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said PBIM has grown to become one of the most anticipated marathons in the region and in Penang's sports tourism calendar. 'PBIM brings together tens of thousands of runners, supporters, family members, and businesses, turning a single morning of sport into a weekend of large-scale activity that boosts the state economy.' He said registration places were filling up quickly. 'Our target is 25,000 participants and so far, we have over 16,000 registrations,' Wong said during a press conference at Komtar. Also present were Ikea Batu Kawan local marketing manager Vivienne Low, Klippa deputy commercial manager Jo Saw and Aspen trade divisional director Janice Lim. Wong said the marathon traversed Penang Second Bridge, making PBIM the longest bridge run in the region. 'Running across that bridge, surrounded by water, wind and sunrise, is an experience. 'Which is why we feel every journey needs to be honoured. 'This year, we are proud to announce that finishers in all categories – Full Marathon (42.195km), Half Marathon (21.1km) and 10km – will receive a finisher T-shirt and specially designed finisher medal. 'Whether you are wearing it for your next run or just as a reminder of what you have accomplished, we want it to be something that runners are proud to put on,' he added. Wong said medals would be the same for finishers of all three categories. 'For many runners, that T-shirt and medal are more than a souvenir; they symbolise the achievement of a personal milestone.' He said pre-run events were being organised by Penang Forward Sports Club. 'There will be four held before Dec 14. Two have been held and two more will be conducted in the months to come. 'The four pre-run sessions are held at different locations on the island and mainland, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience for participants. 'This event is free and runners can choose to join either the 5km or 10km categories.' He said the sessions would help runners boost their stamina, get familiar with race conditions and adjust to Penang's weather and routes. Wong said last year's PBIM attracted over 23,000 participants. That translated into thousands of hotel bookings, restaurant visits, retail spending, and digital impressions online showcasing Penang to the world, he noted. 'I see PBIM as more than a race; it is an engine for economic stimulation, a platform for cultural celebration and a movement that promotes health and unity,' Wong added. PBIM will be hosted at Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan. To register, visit
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
Rising star Yamashita's AIG Women's Open win highlights dominant era for Japan in women's golf
Miyu Yamashita's victory at the AIG Women's Open makes her the fourth Japanese player to win a Major championship in the last two years. -- The R&A via Getty Images / LPGA PORTHCAWL, Mid Glamorgan, Wales: Miyu Yamashita's impressive victory at the AIG Women's Open reinforced Japan's emergence over the last few years as the pre-eminent force in women's golf. Yamashita's cool and composed two-shot triumph at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club made her the fourth Japanese player to win a Major championship in the last two years and the sixth overall, joining Mao Saigo (2025 Chevron Championship), Ayaka Furue (2024 Amundi Evian Championship), Yuka Saso (2024 US Women's Open), Hinako Shibuno (2019 AIG Women's Open) and the pioneering Hisako 'Chako' Higuchi (1977 LPGA Championship). With Saigo's Chevron Championship victory, Rio Takeda's triumph at the Blue Bay LPGA and Chisato Iwai claiming the MEXICO Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba title, Yamashita is the fourth Japanese winner on the 2025 LPGA Tour. The in-depth strength of women's golf is highlighted by the fact that Yamashita is the tour's ninth Rolex First-Time winner of 2025 and the 21st different champion. The 24-year-old is also the second player this season to make a Major championship their first victory, following Saigo. Following the AIG Women's Open, Yamashita overtook Takeda at the top of the 2025 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year rankings. Amazingly, the third and fourth-placed players in the rankings are also Japanese – Iwai and her twin sister, Akie. 'To have so many Japanese players doing so well at the moment is something that provides motivation for me and keeps me going. So great to see Saigo win earlier this year and that just kind of pushed me a little bit harder. "To join that elite group is something that's very special, and it's an amazing feeling,' said Yamashita, who has won 13 times on the Japan LPGA Tour and she was its leading money winner in 2022 and 2023. The LPGA Tour takes a one-week break before heading back to the United States for The Standard Portland Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Oregon (August 14-17), where Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn will seek to defend her title. - LPGA
The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
US, Japan secure top seeds position for Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown event; Thais will lead Asean's challenge
SEOUL: Eight teams and 32 players have booked their spots at the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown, the exciting team match-play competition that showcases the best female golfers from across the globe. The event will be held at New Korea Country Club in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, on Oct. 23-26, 2025. The final country seedings represent their countries at the 2025 Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown are: 1. US, 2. Japan, 3. South Korea, 4. Australia, 5. Thailand, 6. Sweden, 7. World Team and 8. Japan. The top seeds US, will be led by Nelly Korda, Angel Yin, Lauren Coughlin, and Lilia Vu; while Japan comprises Miyu Yamashita, Rio Takeda, Mao Saigo, and Ayaka Furue. Host South Korea also has a powerful squad in Hyo Joo Kim, Haeran Ryu, Jin Young Ko, and Hye-Jin Choi. Meanwhile, South East Asia's challenge will be in the hands of Thailand. The fifth seeds have World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul leading their charge. She will be ably supported by Ariya Jutanugarn, Chanettee Wannasaen, and Patty Tavatanakit. The qualifying athletes for the 2025 tournament include the top 16 players in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings. The field also represents all five 2025 women's major titles and 23 overall major titles, along with a combined 143 LPGA Tour victories. Miyu Yamashita, who captured her first major title yesterday at the AIG Women's Open, will lead the Japan Team in Korea. 'The International Crown is something I was aiming toward. I wanted to be part of that team,' said Yamashita. 'So now that's a possibility I can look forward to representing my country and doing the best I can.' Rolex Rankings No. 3 Lydia Ko will headline the first World Team in the history of the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown. 'I'm excited. I've never played the International Crown, so it's going to be a new one for me. I love team formats, and it's kind of out of our comfort zone, but I kind of love that,' said Ko, a native of New Zealand who captured the Africa/Oceania berth on the World Team. 'I think it's a great way to get to know my peers at the same time. For it to be in Korea, I think the fans are going to be very excited to see all of us there.' Meanwhile, in the corner of the host team, 'I am honoured to be a part of the International Crown team for the first time,' said South Korea's Haeran Ryu, who will represent her home country for the first time as a professional. 'Since it's in Korea, I think I will be able to play a lot more smoothly and comfortably, and I think I'll probably be the youngest on the team. I'm excited to play for them.' Grace Kim played her way onto her first Australia Team courtesy of her victory at the Amundi Evian Championship. 'Obviously, it's a really cool experience coming up, especially with the team we're going to have. We're very close already, so just being able to test how good our game is up against different countries, it's just really exciting to put ourselves out there. Just to be representing Australia anytime is always a big honor.' Meanwhile, Asia's big star Xiyu Lin has confirmed that she will not play for the China Team in the starry event as she is currently expecting her first child. Ruixin Liu, the first reserve for China, is in line to take Lin's place on the team. The final field and the seedings were determined via the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings published after the conclusion of the 2025 AIG Women's Open on Aug. 4. The top four ranked players from each pre-qualified country qualified for their respective country's team. The World Team consists of the top-ranked player from each of the following four regions, not from a country already qualified: Americas (North America and South America); Europe; Asia; and Africa/Oceania. If a player chooses not to compete or is unable to compete, the spot will be filled by the next highest-ranked, available player from the Rolex Rankings for that country/region, dating to the rankings published on Aug. 4. The top seven countries were determined by the combined Rolex Rankings of the top four players from each country as of the rankings published after the conclusion of the 2025 KPMG Women's PGA Championship on June 23. The tournament will take place over four days. It will feature three days of four-ball competition from Thursday to Saturday. The top two countries from each Pool will advance to Sunday. Two semifinal matches will be played on Sunday morning. Each semifinal match will consist of two singles matches and one foursomes match. The winning semifinal countries will compete in the final match on Sunday afternoon. A third-place match will also take place between the two losing semifinal countries. Both the final match and the third-place match will be played in the same format as the semifinals. For more information on tickets and volunteer opportunities, visit - LPGA
