National golfer Brayden Lee, 17, wins boys’ individual title at Asia Junior Team C’ships

SINGAPORE – Heading into this week’s Asia Junior Team Championships, national golfer Brayden Lee was not in the best of form.

After winning the Kedah Amateur Open in early June, a back injury forced him to lighten his training load, with the 17-year-old able to train only once or twice a week.

As he started to return from his injury in early July, he finished fourth at the Singapore Open Amateur Championships and 13th at the South-east Asian Team Amateur Championships, before placing 113th at the US Junior Amateur Championships.

However, he continued to work hard and his perseverance paid off as he emerged victorious at the Asia Junior Team Championships on Sept 11.

He carded a two-under 70 at the Gunsun Golf Club in South Korea on the final day to sign for a six-under 210 total.

He pipped Thailand’s Thanawin Lee to the individual title by two shots, having also posted rounds of 70 on each of the first two days.

The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student said: “I had a bad run of tournaments, but I’m just glad that I’ve been working on the things I needed to work on...

“My game is looking like it’s improving on the right track and going back to what it used to be or even better.”

His total score also played a crucial role in securing bronze in the boys’ team event alongside Troy Storm and Aaron Wee as the trio carded 436 behind champions South Korea (423) and Thailand (431).

The girls’ team of Chen Xing Tong, Aamiya Koul and Passion Hsu racked up a 455 total to finish fourth behind champions Thailand, South Korea (second) and Japan (third).

While he was disappointed to miss out on a spot at the Junior World Team Championship in 2025 – which goes to the winning team – Brayden remained pleased with his performance in the individual event.

He credited the extended International Baccalaureate programme at his school, which allows student-athletes like himself to complete a two-year syllabus in three years, for enabling him to balance his studies and sporting commitments better.

Brayden also noted that his promotion from the development squad in February has also played a role in his growth, as he gets even more financial and coaching support from the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) as a national golfer.

A successful outing in South Korea has given the teenager confidence ahead of upcoming tournaments such as the Oct 3-6 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan and the Oct 15-18 Nomura Cup in Vietnam.

“The Asian Junior Champs is a bigger event with stronger players, so winning it sort of puts me in a good direction to contend at these bigger events,” said Brayden, whose ultimate goal is to play on one of golf’s biggest tours like the DP World Tour, PGA Tour or LIV Golf.

“I feel like I can use these experiences, reflect on myself and I probably will be able to put up a good fight in these bigger events from the experience I’ve gained.

“Not just from this but past experiences also. I would say this tournament is a good gauge of what those tournaments would feel like.”

SGA’s assistant national coach Joshua Shou praised his performance, saying: “Brayden played some stellar golf coming down the stretch today.

“He held his nerve and was able to pull off a remarkable approach into the par-five 16th hole that led to an eagle and a one-shot lead, before sealing the win with a birdie on the last hole.

“The maturity and mental strength he displayed today will serve him well as he looks to compete in some major tournaments coming up this year and in 2025.

“I’m proud of how far he has come.”