Local golfer Chen Xingtong, 15, is youngest female to win Singapore Open Amateur C’ships

SINGAPORE – In March, Singapore golfer Chen Xingtong made a bet with her father. If the teenager won any of the three competitions he listed, he must take her to the Nov 1-3 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.

On July 5, the 15-year-old fan of Gresini’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez fulfilled her side of the bargain in style as she became the youngest player to win the women’s title at the Singapore Open Amateur Championships.

A two-over 75 in the fourth round at Orchid Country Club was enough to give her a victorious one-under 291 total, four strokes ahead of Thailand’s Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (71). 

The Philippines’ Grace Quintanilla (75) was a further stroke adrift at third, while Malaysia’s 2023 SEA Games winner Ng Jing Xuen (76) and bronze medallist Foong Zi Yu (74) finished tied-fourth on six-over 298.

Xingtong, who was promoted to the national squad in 2024, told The Straits Times: “I’m incredibly honoured and excited to win the championship. It’s a tournament that means a lot to me because it’s one of, if not the biggest tournament in Singapore, so it’s a big achievement.”

When asked about the motorcycle racing grand prix, she could not hide her excitement, highlighting the adrenaline rush that comes with racing and the riders’ split-second decisions.

She added: “I begged my father to take me to MotoGP. If I won either the Singapore Junior Open (where she finished second), this, or the (July 9-12) South-east Asian Amateur Team Championship, he’ll take me there. 

“It was definitely motivation for me to do better. I’m incredibly excited, I can’t wait to go.”

Xingtong got off to a terrific start in the first round, mixing nine birdies with three bogeys to finish on six-under 67.

But she reminded herself to stay grounded heading into the second round.

She then shot one-over 74 and two-over 75 on the second and third day respectively to establish a four-stroke advantage heading into the final round.

She started strongly on July 5, firing four birdies against a bogey in her first five holes. But it was not all plain sailing as she made three bogeys and a double bogey in her last six holes.

The Singapore Sports School student admitted there was pressure knowing she was the leader, despite being unaware of how many shots she was leading by.

“It definitely shows I have a lot of areas to improve on,” she said. “For me, it’s only the second time I’ve walked to the last few holes knowing I was the leader. And having the pressure to not screw up to win, I think I could’ve handled that better. But it was a great experience altogether, just being able to win.”

This result, which came against a competitive field of top amateurs, will give her a confidence boost.

She added: “Being able to win it and show I can compete against players at the highest level regionally and internationally is a great benchmark for me. 

“While I still have a lot more work to do moving forward, it’s a good way for me to recognise all the hard work that I’ve put in has worked out.”

National coach Murray Smit said of her victory: “To keep the trophy in Singapore is always special and it’s an important next step in her young career.

“This is significant because she managed to lead from the very first round, something that she will have learnt a lot from... she also managed to beat a strong field. We look forward to seeing her go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

The Philippines’ Enrique Dimayuga, 22, emerged triumphant in the men’s division. His closing six-under 67 gave him a 17-under 275 total, four strokes ahead of Australia’s Max Ford and Thailand’s Thanawin Lee (both 69).

Singapore’s Brayden Lee (67) finished a further stroke adrift in lone fourth.