From tiny swings to the majors

The Star

a day ago

THE first time Miri-born Mirabel Ting swung a golf club, she could barely lift it.
She was three, standing at the driving range with her father and older brother Malcom.
The then-six-year-old Malcom was supposed to be practising. But Mirabel's curiosity got the better of her – she grabbed his club, planted her feet and took a swing.
'That was it,' said Mirabel, 19, smiling at the memory. 'My dad and grandpa inspired me. From then on, golf was my whole world.'
Her father, Ting Hee Chai, didn't just encourage her – he made golf her life.
Mirabel picking up golf at age three, inspired by her father and grandfather.
Afternoons after school were spent at the range. Evenings meant more practice.
Her grandfather, Ng Siaw Pheng, a devoted golfer himself, played nine holes almost every afternoon and brought her along.
The goal was clear from the start: turn professional and, hopefully, make the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association).
By nine, Mirabel no longer saw golf as just a game. She was spending weekends and school holidays at the club from morning until dark, working on her short game and learning the mental discipline the sport demands.
Mirabel gives her all in every championship she competes in.
At 10, she left her hometown to join the Sime Darby LPGA development programme at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC).
A year later, she clinched the Sarawak Amateur Championship – the first sign the family's dream might come true.
At 13, she moved to Brisbane, Australia, for high school and further training.
Four years later, she took an even bigger leap – leaving Malaysia for the United States.
Just two months into college, she faced heartbreak: her father died suddenly of illness.
It was a crushing blow, but Mirabel didn't give up.
Florida State University became her second home, and she rose again – making history by winning the Annika Award, the highest honour in NCAA women's golf.
From there, the victories kept coming: TSM Golf Challenge (Malaysia, June 2023), Vietnam Ladies Amateur Championship (July 2023), Royal Selangor Ladies Amateur Championship (August 2023), 30th Ladies Negri Sembilan Amateur Open (August 2022), 21st Malaysia Games (July 2024), 74th Singapore Open Amateur Championship and the 2025 Briars Creek Collegiate Invitational in South Carolina.
Mom Ng Mei Mei (left) and grandfather Ng Siaw Pheng (right) celebrating Mirabel's TSM championship victory.
She became the first Malaysian golfer ranked number one in US Division One collegiate golf, the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Golfer of the Year, and the sixth Malaysian woman to turn professional.
Three weeks into her pro career, she won the PGM Royal Pahang Championship on July 30, dedicating the win to her late grandfather.
From a world amateur ranking of over 2,000, she has now climbed to number two.
'It feels surreal,' she said. 'I started so far back, and now I know I can be the best one day in professional golf.'
She has kept promises along the way – to her coach Amy Bond and former Malaysian pro Michelle Koh – and continues to push herself.
'I've realised I need to work harder on my mental game if I want to win on the LPGA Tour,' she said.
'But I have the right people – my coach Kris Assawapimonporn and Michelle – in my corner.'
Her motivation hasn't changed despite the stakes being higher.
'I play because I love the game and I want to enjoy what I do on and off the golf course,' she said.
The past five years have tested her resilience far beyond the fairways.
In 2020, she lost her grandmother but couldn't return home due to Covid-19 restrictions. In 2022, her father passed away during her college season. In July this year, she lost her grandfather on the eve of her debut at the Evian Championship – her first LPGA event.
'It was painful,' she admitted. 'Not being able to be there in those moments is something I carry with me. But Michelle has always been my pillar of strength, giving me hope and belief.'
Her training blends precision and care – two to four hours of practice daily, three gym sessions a week and recovery work to stay tournament-ready. Mental discipline is key, and she maintains it through routines she trusts.
Being Malaysian, she said, has shaped her journey in unexpected ways.
'I'm proud to wear my country's flag.
'I hope young girls see what I've achieved and believe they can do it too.'
Her advice is simple: 'Never give up. Nothing is impossible – it's hard, but it's possible.'
Her goals are crystal clear: secure a place on the LPGA Tour and, within five years, become the first Malaysian woman to win on it.
Asked which tournament she most wants to win, her reply was instant: 'The Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.'
From a toddler swinging her brother's club to a rising star on the pro circuit, Mirabel Ting's story is defined by dedication, family and belief.
She may have started with a swing too big for her small frame, but every shot since has been aimed at making history for Malaysian golf.