31/07/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | JULY 31, 2025

31

Malaysia’s leading amateur hoping to round off Major campaign on high note Wong fired up for Royal Porthcawl

M ALAYSIA’S leading amateur Jeneath Wong (pix) 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 today 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

seeing how they minimise 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. – lpga.com

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°, 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

238/25

30/07/2025

Malaysia’s leading amateur Jeneath Wong.

7100 3212 6947

‘Give Jonassen time to rebuild Malaysia singles line-up’

9165 5142 8161 9222 8297

2642 4980 1038 3694 6534

1960 1980 8487 5938 1962

1806 4828 8667 5179 4888

NATIONAL men’s singles coach and Director of Singles Coaching at the Badminton Association of Malaysia (ABM), Kenneth Jonassen, should be given sufficient time to implement his plans and bring about change to the national singles squad, according to Datuk Seri L e e Chong Wei.

Lee was responding to a newspaper report quoting former national coach Wong Tat Meng, who warned that Malaysia could face a singles crisis if immediate action isn’t taken to address the weaknesses in the country’s youth player development system. Commenting further, Lee said the current state of the men’s singles is worrying, with a significant gap between Malaysian players and the world’s top contenders. Lee said only Lee Zii Jia currently shows potential, having recently returned from injury, while Ng Tze Yong is undergoing treatment in Doha. “Their performances are still inconsistent, and the same goes for Leong Jun Hao, whose form has been up and down,” he said. – Bernama lenging for the title,” he said when met after the Signing Ceremony of the Strategic Partnership Between Selangor FC and Provident Fiduciaries yesterday. He said the team’s main targets remain unchanged – to finish in the top two of the Super League, reach the finals of both the Malaysia Cup and FA Cup, and qualify for the knockout stage of the regional tour nament. Johan said that although other teams have also had strong pre-sea son preparations, Selangor are confi dent of competing more competi tively this season. Selangor, currently under the guidance of coach Katsuhito Kinoshi, last won the Super League in 2010, the Malaysia Cup in 2015, and the FA Cup in 2009. – Bernama

The Malaysian badminton legend said Jonassen, who has only been in the role for six months, needs time to adapt and rebuild the strength of a men’s singles line-up that is currently in a critical state. “I’ve met and spoken with him (Jonassen) about how he can contribute to men’s singles in Malaysia. He has great ideas and I agree with his proposals and plans. We just can’t expect instant results because this isn’t a one month or one-year process. “At the very least, one full cycle – four years – is needed before we can gauge the effectiveness of his plans. Give him room to adapt to the local culture and to rebuild the team. It’s like a newborn child – even learning to walk takes a year, let alone producing a world champion,” he said. SELANGOR FC is confident of achieving their main targets for the new season, backed by ongoing efforts to strengthen the perform ance of the Red Giants from time to time. Selangor FC Chief Executive Officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon stressed that everyone within the club remains committed to consis tently delivering their best perform ances, with the aim of surpassing last season’s achievements. “We need to be realistic as the league (Super League) is highly competitive. Over the past two sea sons, we’ve managed to narrow the gap with the champions, Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT). “Therefore, I hope we can main tain this momentum as we believe we still have a good chance of chal

RM14,692,921.95

National badminton legend Datuk Seri

7100 + 6947 3212 + 6947 6947 + 3212

7100 + 3212 3212 + 7100 6947 + 7100

Lee Chong Wei. – BERNAMAPIC

RM202,934.44

1 8 9 1521222630

2 24

Pandelela succumbs to shoulder injury in Singapore A RECURRING left shoulder injury has forced national diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong to withdraw from the women’s 10-metre (m) platform individual event at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore yesterday. The two-time Olympic medallist said the decision was taken after careful consideration, as the injury would prevent her from competing safely or being at her best. “I’m truly grateful for all the kind messages and concerns for my well-being. I promise to take better care of my body as I focus on healing and prepare for the next opportunity to represent Malaysia,” she posted on Facebook . The 32-year-old added that she would continue to cheer her fellow teammates on in Singapore. “Please join me in sending them our support, luck and prayers as they continue to compete for Malaysia,” she said. On Monday, Pandelela was competing with Lee Yiat Qing in the 10m platform synchronised event when she had to withdraw after two dives due to the same injury, which she sustained earlier this month. Meanwhile, Yiat Qing failed to advance to the 10m platform semifinals in the preliminaries at the OCBC Aquatic Centre yesterday. National swimmers Khiew Hoe Yean and Tan Khai Xin also failed to advance in their respective events. – Bernama

Red Giants confident of achieving new season targets

RM9,811,590.09

RM224,209.10

0 0 1 2 4 7 00124

01247

0012

1247

001

247

00

47

12

11

All jackpot amounts stated above are for this Draw. Subject to T&Cs of the Scheme. Please visit to www.magnum4d.my for more info. THE BIGGER PLAY IS TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY