Run To Final

Reaching championship match in US gives Xingtong more confidence, trust in her golfing ability

- Kimberly Kwek

A historic run to the final of the United States Girls' Junior Championship has renewed Singaporean golfer Chen Xingtong's belief in her game.

While the 16-year-old missed out on the title after a 2 and 1 defeat by Canada's Aphrodite Deng in the final in Georgia on July 19, she walked away with something just as valuable: confidence.

Looking back on her week, she said: "I think it definitely gave me a lot more confidence because previously I had a lot of doubts about myself, just would I be able to make it even just as an amateur golfer, trying to get into college.

"But I think after this week, I definitely have a lot more confidence and just trust my game a bit more."

Even before the final, the world No. 291 amateur had made history as the first Singaporean to reach the championship match of the prestigious junior event, which has served as a springboard for many of the world's top players, including Australia's world No. 5 Minjee Lee, a three-time Major champion.

Xingtong entered match play as the fifth seed after carding a five-under 137 over two rounds of stroke play, finishing in a four-way tie for second, just one stroke behind American leader Grace Carter.

Compatriot Guo Junxi also advanced, placing joint-45th with a four-over 146, but bowed out in the round of 64 after a 6 and 5 loss to Canada's Clairey Lin.