Indonesian Ribka Eyes Gold In Asian Games After MLAO Triumph

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Aug 4 (Bernama) – Asian Games-bound Indonesian golfer, Ribka Vania gained timely boost for the regional Games, after winning the 35th Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open Championship (MLAO) at the Palm Garden Golf Club here. The golfer carded one over par, with 217 strokes in total to clinch the title, after a slow start with 77 strokes (five over par 72) on Wednesday. However, Ribka, who is ranked 726th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, bounced back by scoring two under par with 70 strokes in the remaining two rounds to clinch the title in her debut at the MLAO. “It was a very long day, I stuck in there and made a lot of efforts. The first day was tough as my shots were not heading right. “After this, we will be back home and train for the Asian Games. Certainly, I am targeting gold for both individual and team events as it will be held on home soil,” she told Bernama after the prize giving ceremony here Friday. India’s Ridhima Dilawari and Diksha Dagar finished second and third after carding 219 and 220 respectively to clinch the team title with fifth-placed Sifat Sagoo (222th), hence ready to challenge the host for the gold. “I could not fare well in the first two days, but today I managed to focus and lead (with 68). We are in best shape to win Asian Games gold, but have to face the challenge from South Korea, Japan and China,” Ridhima said. Mirabel Ting Ern Hui emerged as the best Malaysian in the tournament after having finished in fourth place with 221 strokes, followed by Asian Games-bound Ashley Lau Jen Wen in seventh place with 227. “Today is a better day compared to the first two days. I had an even today, compared to nine over on first day and two over yesterday (Thursday). It is a very challenging course. “I hope I can do well in Jakarta...had played the course once about five, but did not do well, hope this time can do better,” the 18-year-old Lau said. For the Asian Games, besides the individual event, Lau will join hand with Natasha Andrea Oon and Winnie Ng Yu Xuan for the women’s team event which will take place at the Pondok Indah Golf Course, Jakarta, from August 23-26. -- BERNAMA