05/08/2025

SPORTS TUESDAY | AUG 5, 2025

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Wong takes positives from making first Major cut

Grandmaster Li Tian makes nation proud

IT WAS a testing but fulfilling outing at the AIG Women’s Open for Malaysian amateur Jeneath Wong, who made her first ever cut in a Major championship en route to a 71st place finish at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales. Surviving the halfway cut of 2-over on the number with rounds of 72 and 74, Wong struggled in the harsher weekend conditions. Following a third round 77, the 20 year-old signed in a closing 82 for a tour nament aggregate of 17-over 305. “Definitely not the finish I was hoping for, but making my first Major cut is still a big positive. I learnt a lot this week about managing my game under pressure and staying patient out there. “I also felt like my ball-striking held up well against a really strong field, which is a big confidence booster,” said Wong. This was Wong’s third Major start of 2025 as the reigning Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific champion, and fourth overall having made it into the 2023 US Women’s Open via a qualifying tourna ment. “Today was definitely tougher as the ‘real’ links weather came, with the wind and rain picking up a lot during my round. “The course played a lot more difficult with the strong winds. It made every round seem like I was playing a totally

different course,” noted Wong. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Wong moved to Australia when she was 10 and played a lot of links golf in the Melbourne area during her junior days. However, the pint-sized golfer admitted that she still has a lot to improve on. “I think I can get better at controlling my ball flight and shape as links golf demands creativity, and that’s some thing I want to keep improving on,” Wong acknowledged. Wong gushed over the experience of playing in the fifth and final Major of the year at Royal Porthcawl, one of the most highly-rated links layouts in the United Kingdom. “Overall, it’s been an amazing experi ence playing at Royal Porthcawl. The atmosphere was incredible, the fans were so supportive, and off the course I really enjoyed soaking in the history and the whole vibe of a links Major. “It’s definitely motivated me to keep working hard to be back in more of these events,” shared Wong, who will now head back to the United States for her senior year with Pepperdine University in California. Wong chalked up her second LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) point for making the cut, inching towards the 20 point threshold that would earn her LPGA membership. – lpga.com

Malaysian amateur Jeneath Wong. – R&A/Getty Images

FOR the first time in the nation’s history, Malaysia can proudly call one of its own a Grandmaster (GM), the highest title awarded in the world of chess. Yeoh Li Tian, a 25-year-old prodigy from Petaling Jaya, officially earned the coveted GM title after securing his third norm and surpassing the 2500 Fide rating mark by winning the GM-IM Invitational Chess Championship 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. The title, awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is a lifelong honour and places Li Tian among an elite group of fewer than 2,000 Grandmasters worldwide. Li Tian, who began playing chess at the age of three, admitted that his journey was long and grueling, marked by sacrifices and perseverance. “I always tell people that I have no childhood. So I guess that is be my biggest sacrifice. Since young, even in primary school, I go to school, come back, do my homework and then I start working on chess,” he said. When asked about achieving the GM title on home soil, he said the moment was even more meaningful after narrowly missing the opportunity during the 2022 SEA Games in Hanoi. “I felt really relieved and happy to actually get my last norm back in Malaysia. I hope that it inspires more Malaysians to play chess,” he added. Looking ahead, Li Tian remains uncertain about his next steps but hinted that he might compete in the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand at the end of this year. “Malaysia Chess Federation (MCF) already approached me for this SEA Games. I think there’s a high chance that I will be playing,” he said. Meanwhile, MCF President Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi described Li Tian’s achievement as a historic milestone in the nation’s chess history. He added that the MCF is now more determined than ever to nurture and produce more Malaysian GM, with the goal of elevating and strengthening the local chess scene. “I feel the achievement is a new positive and healthy development for the game of chess in the country. “We do not want this achievement to stop here and if can, we want more GM from Malaysia to emerge, just like ehat has been produced by neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines,” he said. – Bernama

Qurratu’Ain fully focused S INCE joining the national squad in January, young bowl ing sensation Qurratu’Ain Izdihar Mohd Pozi has faced for two straight weeks before flying out, to build their physical and Teen bowling sensation balancing studies and tournaments with applaud

appreciation for everyone who supported her, especially her family and coaching team, who believed in her talent and helped her reach this point. Asked about her hopes of competing in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, the 17-year-old admitted it was every athlete’s dream, though her name has yet to be shortlisted. Instead, she is set to compete in the Asian Youth Championships later this month at Sunway Megalanes, and hopes to maintain the momentum she gained in Doha. “I hope to be selected for the SEA Games, but for now, the focus is on training. Insya-Allah , if possible, I want more gold,” she said. Malaysia won seven golds, one silver and five bronze

these gold medals, I want to focus on both academics and training for competitions.” Qurratu’Ain Izdihar said she and her teammates

m e n t a l endurance ahead of the tournament. S h e described her success as not j u s t

multiple challenges – from adapting to intensive training and meeting podium targets set by her coaches to preparing for the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations. However, the Selangor-born athlete showed remarkable resilience by wrapping up her campaign at the Asian U-18 Junior Bowling Championships in Doha with five gold medals – her best achievement since taking up the sport at age seven. “ Alhamdulillah , I’m very grateful and can’t believe I managed to win five out of Malaysia’s seven gold medals because all the events were tough. But with the help of my coaches, I stayed consistent and focused on my game. My family also always supports me,” she told reporters upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang yesterday. “For me, the most

underwent intensive training for two hours every morning and two hours every evening without a break

a

pe r s ona l t r i umph but also a token of

medals at the Asian junior bowling championships in Doha, the country’s best performance in the history of the tournament. – Bernama National youth bowler, Qurratu’ain Izdihar Pozi

shows off the medals she won at the 2025 Asian Youth Bowling

difficult part is balancing studies and tournaments because it’s currently trial exam season. “So after winning

Championship in Doha. – AFPPIC

Muhammad Azeem out to make amends

NATIONAL sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi will head to the Indian Open Athletics Championships, to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from Aug 10, bent on making amends for his disappointing performance at last month’s Rhine-Ruhr World University Games (WUG). Despite making history at the WUG by becoming the first Malaysian to make the men’s 100m final and finishing fourth in 10.35s, the 21 year-old feels that it did not reflect his true performance, having clocked a season best of

decided whether to compete in the Malaysian Open Athletics Championships, slated to be held from Aug 29-31. He said this is because the competition date clashed with the start of his lecture schedule at Auburn University in the United States. “One setback if I don’t compete is that it offers ranking points,” added the sprinter, who holds the national 100m record of 10.09s. Muhammad Azeem was crowned the Sprint King at the 2024 edition of the Malaysian Open when he stormed to victory in 10.43s. – Bernama

Hangzhou Asian Games 100m bronze medallist when met recently. In Germany, other than finishing fourth in the blue riband event, Muhammad Azeem also advanced to the semifinals of the 200m event and helped the national 4x100m quartet reach the final. The Indian Open is a bronze-level Continental Tour athletics event organised by World Athletics, Meanwhile, Muhammad Azeem still has not

10.20s in the United States in May. “I am quite disappointed with myself because I know I could have done better (at the WUG). I’m not satisfied with the 10.35s that I clocked at the WUG. “That’s why I am going back to the drawing board with my coach to be better prepared for the Indian Open. “I’m looking forward to doing something (special) in my next outing,” said the 2022