Hong Kong’s Han battles to historic finish at Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, as city’s players raise bar
- Sophie Han cards a closing round 71 to finish in a tie for third, the best result ever by one of the city’s players
- Teammates Virginie Ding, Siuue Wu and Arianna Lau all make cut at tournament in Singapore, another first for Hong Kong golf
An exhausted Sophie Han said she had her mental resolve to thank after the teenager battled back to finish a tie for third at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, the best result ever by a Hong Kong golfer.
Having struggled in Saturday’s third round, the 15-year-old carded a one-under-par 71 in the final round at Singapore Island Country Club on Sunday to finish at six under for the tournament, some eight shots back of runaway winner Eila Galitsky.
It was a great week all round for the Hong Kong squad, with all of the city’s players making the cut at the event for the first time. Virginie Ding Wai-chung finished in a tie for 10th at two under, two shots ahead of Siuue Wu, with Arianna Lau at 12 over.
An elated Han, who was co-leader early in the tournament, said that she was “really proud” of herself for recovering from a 75 on Saturday, and that back-to-back birdies on holes two and three had given her a boost on Sunday.
“I didn’t quit in the middle of the game, because I was so tired, like physically tired, but I pulled through mentally, so it was really good,” Han said.
Despite a lack of birdies over the first couple of days, Han said she felt that her putting was improving, and that along with her approach shots were two positives that she could take away from the week.
