Georgia On Xingtong's Mind

Golfer looks forward to the test at US Girls' Junior C'ship with fellow Singaporean Junxi

- Kimberly Kwek

A promising debut in the United States has boosted national golfer Chen Xingtong's confidence ahead of the US Girls' Junior Championship, which will take place from July 14 to 19.

The 16-year-old secured her place at the tournament with an even-par 72 at a one-day qualifier at Crescent Farms Golf Club in Missouri on June 16.

She topped a 20-player field to claim the only spot available, mixing three birdies with three bogeys to finish one shot ahead of Americans Lisa Zhang and Eva Brown.

Joining her at the Atlanta Athletic Club's Riverside Course in Johns Creek, Georgia, will be junior national squad player Guo Junxi.

The 17-year-old had booked her place in May through another qualifier in Florida, where she is based, clinching the second of two available berths with a birdie in a play-off against American Charlotte Cantonis and Brazil's Maria Antonia Gaviao. The trio were tied at one-over 71 in regulation play.

Xingtong was thrilled to have qualified, noting that the one-day format with just one spot on offer made it challenging.