By Patrick Johnston
Singapore’s golfers set new standards at the Asian Games, with the men’s team carding their best ever finish while the women marked their debut with an impressive eighth overall to cap a very happy 25th birthday for amateur Aloysa Atienza.
The final round of both tournaments took place at the picturesque West Lake Golf Course on Sunday (Oct 1) with the men chasing a podium but ultimately settling for fifth in the team event, boosted by James Leow and Ryan Ang ending the individual in a tie for 12th.
Leow, a recent graduate from prestigious U.S. golfing college Arizona State, carded a final round four-under-par 68 for a 274 total but was slightly disappointed he couldn’t add to the SEA Games gold medal he won for his country in 2019.
James Leow watches after hitting his approach to the green during the opening round of the Asian Games men’s golf tournament at West Lake. (Photo: Sport Singapore/ Alfie Lee)
“I was hoping for a podium finish,” he said at a breezy West Lake, where tricky final round pin positions hampered scoring.
“I had a really good start, first-round eight-under, and was hoping to build on it but I just couldn't quite make as many putts as I should on the second and third day. It was tough to accept, but the team did great.”
The team really did. Amateur Ang shot a final round 73 to match Leow’s 274 total, with Koh Dengshan closing with a 71 to finish 11-under, in a tie for 21st. Gregory Foo, who played the last two Asian Games, struggled somewhat over the weekend to finish 39th on three-over overall after a closing 77.
Ryan Ang gives a thumbs up after completing his final round at the Asian Games men’s golf tournament at West Lake. (Photo: Sport Singapore/ Alfie Lee)
“A really good team finish for Team Singapore,” said Ang.
“Podium was definitely on our minds today but we all knew, four behind Hong Kong, we needed to all shoot solid rounds, three-four-under to have any chance.
“And 14-under is my best-ever tournament round, tournament score, it's good to know I can compete with a lot of these guys. It's only my second year playing competitive golf, so I think the sky's the limit for me. A year ago I was nowhere near this place, so it is quite fulfilling to get to where I am and am looking forward to the future. This week’s finish is a huge confidence booster for me.”
Also taking lots of confidence from the Hangzhou event was the women’s team, made up of amateur Aloysa Atienza, Amanda Tan and Koh Sock Hwee.
Tan, the first Singaporean to qualify to play on the second-tier Epson Tour in the U.S., shot a final round five-over 77 to close the individual tournament on three-over 291 and a tie for 18th.
She was ably supported by Koh and Atienza in the team event. Koh, who competes on the China LPGA Tour, shot a final round 77, while Atienza finished with a 76 as the trio ended on three-over overall.
Koh Sock Hwee watches as her putt rolls towards the hole during the opening round of the Asian Games women’s golf tournament at West Lake. (Photo: Sport Singapore/ Alfie Lee)
Atienza struggled on her opening nine on Sunday but bounced back to finish with three birdies and was grateful for the chance to represent her country.
“This year having a much different format including the professionals in the team event is really a good thing,” she said.
“A lot of them are playing on the LPGA Tour. The players from China are top in the world, it's such a huge opportunity to represent Singapore in this event.”
Supported on the sidelines by her father, Atienza said the team should be really proud of what they have achieved in Hangzhou.
“It is the first time that Singapore is sending a women’s team to the Asian Games and just the fact that we managed to qualify this year just shows we are moving in the right direction,” she said.
Aloysa Atienza hits her drive on the opening day of the Asian Games women’s golf tournament at West Lake. (Photo: Sport Singapore/ Alfie Lee)
Fellow amateur Ang sang the praises of Koh, Tan and Atienza.
“It’s a huge deal that they managed to get sent to the Asian Games in the first place, and then make the team cut. It's a huge deal for the girls, just an inspiration for the girls back in Singapore,” he said.
“It is not easy to make the team cut, to squeeze themselves in there, they should be proud.”
The 19th Asian Games are held in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October 2023. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.
Related Articles
Related Topics
Recent Events & Programmes
Related Articles
Related Topics
Related Articles
View All[BlogPost 164749641842 NSG 2024 Netball: Senior Div Girls League 3 Preliminary Round 2, BlogPost 163985727414 Beyond the Field: Exciting Sports Careers for Non-Athletes, BlogPost 164438712123 NSG 2024 Badminton: Senior Div Girls Quarter-Finals, BlogPost 164238055490 Evergreen Aleksandar Duric Still Making Headlines at 53, BlogPost 164170080646 NSG 2024 Rope Skipping: Junior Div Girls Freestyle Team Finals, BlogPost 162884973666 Move and Rest Better With Data From Your Own Body, BlogPost 163393049482 Life Comes Full Circle For Serangoon Garden Secondary School's Fahrish Khan, BlogPost 163258797651 Making Golf a Sport for All, BlogPost 162512222328 NSG 2024 Sepaktakraw: Senior Div Yuhua Primary School vs Qihua Primary School, BlogPost 162233592997 Gritty Lions Suffer Loss to China, BlogPost 162089384371 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Go Running, BlogPost 161670652697 Lions' Excellent Showing Against China, BlogPost 161435270031 Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China, BlogPost 161127614758 The Future of Basketball in Singapore: Why 3x3 is Here to Stay, BlogPost 161033673012 The Active Lifestyler's Guide to the New ActiveSG Delta Sport Centre, BlogPost 161128356680 Grand New Champions Crowned at WTT Singapore Smash 2024, BlogPost 160844835218 NSG 2024 Table Tennis: C Div Boys Pool Round, BlogPost 160210745115 NSG 2024 Basketball: Senior Div Girls Tampines Primary School vs Frontier Primary School, BlogPost 159881180544 Whirlwind Return to Women's Football, BlogPost 159633541417 Singapore Smash to Elevate a New Legacy, BlogPost 158983580420 NSG 2024 Rugby: B Div Damai Secondary School vs Peirce Secondary School, BlogPost 159003960202 SFA Fiesta: Kicking off 2024 to a Roaring Start, BlogPost 158830735126 NSG 2024 Football: B Div Girls Preliminary Round Meridian Secondary School VS Bowen Secondary School, BlogPost 158536989718 Team Nila Volunteers Recognized At Awards Ceremony, BlogPost 158270107806 NSG 2024 Hockey: B Div Boys Preliminary Round Raffles Institution VS St. Hilda Secondary School, BlogPost 157966862615 NSG 2024 Floorball: B Division Preliminary Rounds Kick Off!, BlogPost 157562433712 What Is Safe Sport?, BlogPost 157559446197 Sengkang Secondary: Cultivating Well-Rounded Footballers, BlogPost 157368261167 New National Training Centre for Cricket at West Coast Ground, BlogPost 155340164987 Active Ageing with Joey Bonifacio, BlogPost 155930815517 Inaugural Singapore Youth League kicks off from 24th February 2024, BlogPost 155340164727 Bukit Canberra : the Coolest Spot in the North, BlogPost 155368905255 How Padang Fandi Inspired Ayden to Chase his Dream, BlogPost 154755572826 Ageing Backwards with Elizabeth Cheang, BlogPost 154094657315 Running For Fitness, BlogPost 153318636178 Excitement Builds for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2024, BlogPost 153198644247 World's Top Four Confirmed for 2024 HSBC Women's World Championship, BlogPost 149413941770 Cultivating Your Kids’ Interest in the Outdoors, BlogPost 149413941163 Making Sport More Appealing for Our Kids, BlogPost 149412549409 Solo Or Team Sport – Choosing the Best for Your Child, BlogPost 151197478798 Former Lions Stalwart Baihakki Khaizan Sheds Light on New Accreditation to Elevate Grassroots Football and Youth Development, BlogPost 80703591291 New Year, Fitter You! Here are the top 3 workouts for the New Year, BlogPost 81171151456 7 Reasons Why Sports are Great for Children’s Mental Health, BlogPost 80542065330 17 Best Yoga Classes & Studios in Singapore [+ Rating & Prices], BlogPost 149404351798 From Brush to Lens: A Student's Journey in the World of Art and Sports Photography, BlogPost 149402825063 The Benefits of Active Parenting, BlogPost 149397832009 Sweden Claim 9th Straight Gold at the Women's World Floorball Championship, BlogPost 149397831449 Lion City Sailors Win 2023 Singapore Cup, BlogPost 148511324266 Pitch Perfect with Jonathan Teo, BlogPost 148511724402 Seniors: Increase your flexibility bit by bit with these stretches]