XINGTONG BEATS NERVES

Teen qualifies for 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship, targets under-par round

- Melvyn Teoh

The battle for a sole spot at the 2025 HSBC Women's World Championship proved to be as heated as the 32 deg C conditions at the Sentosa Golf Club on Jan 9, when teenage golfer Chen Xingtong found herself with a fight on her hands on the final day of the national qualifying tournament.

The 16-year-old, who won the same event in 2024 to earn her debut at the tournament, had looked comfortable after carding a two-under 70 for a three-shot lead over the six-player field on Jan 8.

But on a hot and windy final day, Xingtong squandered away her lead after posting seven bogeys over 17 holes at the Tanjong Course to set up a nervy finish with Aloysa Atienza.

She made par on the final hole for a 79 to stave off her 26-year-old rival, who bogeyed the par-four 18th for a 77 to hand Xingtong her second straight qualifying win.

The teenager's overall five-over 149 was just one shot below Atienza's two-round total. Passion Hsu was third (75, 155) ahead of Jaymie Ng (78, 156), Aamiya Koul (80, 159) and Amelie Ng (83, 169).