KUCHING: Miri-born golfer Mirabel Ting moved a step closer to securing LPGA Tour status after capturing her first Epson Tour title with a dramatic playoff victory at the inaugural Smoky Mountain Championship presented by Food City in Tennessee, United States last Saturday.
The 20-year-old Sarawakian defeated American Rachel Kuehn on the first sudden-death playoff hole after both players finished regulation tied on 15-under 201 at Green Meadow Country Club.
The breakthrough victory earned Ting the maximum 500 Race for the Card points, lifting her to third in the standings and strengthening her bid for promotion to the LPGA Tour next season. The top 15 players at the end of the Epson Tour campaign secure playing rights on the world’s premier women’s golf circuit.
Starting the final round two shots behind Kuehn, Ting carded a five-under 67 to force a playoff before producing the decisive shot on the first extra hole.
Her tee shot clipped a tree but bounced back into the fairway.
“The moment I snapped my drive and it hit the tree, I’m like, ‘Oh, that doesn’t look good,’ but the ball came out on the fairway. I was lucky,” Ting said in an interview published by the Epson Tour.
From 155 yards, Ting initially reached for an eight-iron before her elder sister and full-time caddie, Michelle, persuaded her to use a seven-iron instead.
“I wanted to pull out an eight at first, and my sister looked at me and said, ‘I don’t think you can get there with an eight.
“So I committed with a seven, and I stuck it like three feet,” she said.
Ting calmly rolled in the birdie putt to seal her maiden Epson Tour title.
The victory carried added emotional significance, with Ting crediting Michelle for helping guide her following the passing of their father.
“I’ve been independent since my dad passed,” Ting said.
“I took a step back, knowing that she’s here to help, she’s not here to harm. She’s here to help me and guide me through.”
Asked what her father would have said after watching her lift the trophy, Ting paused before replying:
“I think he’s proud. It’s been tough without him, but I think he’d tell me the same thing – you’re not a winner anymore, get out there and practise and work hard and hopefully be on the LPGA next year.”
Kuehn remained on the 18th green to watch Ting receive the trophy after the playoff.
“I think everyone deserves to have their moment, and this is her moment,” Kuehn said.
Daniela Iacobelli, Lauren Gomez and Anne Chen finished tied for third on 13-under 203.
