M’sia to be without three top golfers in Hanoi due to NCAA

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) has to face the upcoming Hanoi SEA Games scheduled from May 12 to 23, without three of its top golfers including the previous edition’s women’s silver medalists Natasha Andrea Oon and Ashley Lau Jen Wen, and men’s golfer, Khavish Varman Varadan.

Natasha and Ashley who finished runners-up in the women’s team event at 2019 Philippines Games, are currently the two highest-ranked women’s golfers in Southeast Asia based on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

Natasha is ranked 20th in the latest WAGR released on March 2, followed Ashley in 45th place, while Khavish Varman ranked 143rd worldwide and fourth in Southeast Asia.

MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said, the three United States (US) based golfers could not take part in the biennial Games due to their involvement in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) events in the US.

“However, we will still line up a strong team of golfers, with mostly US-based players who have greater exposures and preparations there as the local amateur golf scene, which will set to begin in March, was largely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“In the men’s category, Ervin Chang (ranked 326 in WAGR), who finished fourth in the men’s individual event in the Philippines Games is among our main medal hopefuls. However, our women’s silver medallists, who beat the favourites Thailand, will miss out, but we can bank on other US-based golfers for the task,” he said recently.

Mohd Anwar said the likes of Nateeshvar Anatha Ganesh (605), Marcus Lim Pang Chuen (863), Yeo Boon Xiang Anson (1,709) and Lim Beng Keat (1,758) set to take challenge in the men’s category, while the ladies team is expected to feature Jeneath Wong (70), Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser (594) and Geraldine Xiao Xuan Wong (792).

“Our players are also familiar with the competition venue (Heron Lake Golf Course and Resort), having played the Putra Cup there,” he added.

He said currently the SEA Games Selection Committee have only approved the women’s team in Category A (fully funded), thanks to the silver medal in 2019, but MGA wanted to appeal for the inclusion of the men’s team as well. – Bernama, March 5, 2022