Superior endurance helps China’s Pang Runzhi, 17, to Singapore Ladies Masters victory

SINGAPORE – One by one, Pang Runzhi’s competitors succumbed to the test of endurance on June 16, the final day of the Singapore Ladies Masters.

Of the 132-strong field, 83 players had to return to Laguna National Golf Resort Club at 7.10am to complete their interrupted second rounds from the rain delays earlier in the week.

While Pang’s rivals faltered, the 17-year-old kept up her performance in the face of fatigue. Her superior fitness gave her the edge she needed to pip compatriot Cai Danlin, 21, for her maiden win on the China Ladies Professional Golf Association (CLPGA) Tour.

With a seven-under 209 overall, Pang (72) finished one stroke ahead of Cai (74) to earn the winner’s cheque of US$15,000 (S$20,300). India’s Hitaashee Bakshi (71) was a further two shots back in solo third.

Pang, who spoke in Mandarin, told The Straits Times: “I’m feeling very happy, but a bit numb. I’m very tired and it all happened in a blur.

“There was someone who flew with me to Singapore and followed me across all three rounds. She really gave me a lot of moral support and confidence to play well. I told myself I had to endure it till the end.”

The Tianjin native was referring to family friend, Zhao Chunyin, 60, who went the extra mile to ensure Pang had the best chances of succeeding.

Zhao, a former fitness coach, has overseen Pang’s growth since the latter picked up golf as a six-year-old. Specifically, the retiree took charge of her fitness regimen, which involved flexibility exercises like yoga.

Zhao said: “During the whole process, I took note of the things to look out for during her puberty stage, helping her establish her foundation step by step. Besides fitness, she also relied on her mental fortitude to get the win today.”

After all, Pang hails from a family with rich sporting background. Her mother, who supported her via video call with Zhao, was a former baseball player for Tianjin.

The 17-year-old CLPGA rookie turned professional in November 2023 and won on her fifth start in Singapore. She has had two top-five finishes along with two other tied-12th placings, a mark of her consistency.

In total, she had to play 33 holes, waking up at 5am to complete the remaining 15 holes from her delayed second-round start.

Starting the day hot from hole No. 4, Pang birdied five of her first six holes to surge up the leaderboard. She shot a second-round 66 and was one shot behind Cai before the final round began.

Heading into the final nine holes, Pang was at seven-under and still trailed Cai by one shot. But birdies on No. 10 and No. 12 gave her the outright lead which she never relinquished.

Pang Runzhi in action during the Singapore Ladies Masters on June 16. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

On the par-four 13th, Cai hooked her tee shot left and made bogey. She dropped another shot on No. 16 after missing the green.

Cai, who played 32 holes on June 16, said: “I was just really tired towards the end. I was so fatigued that I couldn’t hit as far as usual. I’m disappointed to miss out on the win.”

Cai Danlin is still searching for her first CLPGA win since turning professional in 2019. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Given breathing space by Cai’s errors, Pang could afford to bogey the 14th and 17th holes as she held on for victory.

“I knew my mother was watching my competition from the phone and I could feel her support from her. I’m very thankful to have the support from all my friends and family back home,” Pang said.

Other notable scores include Hong Kong’s Arianna Lau, who finished at one-under 215 to claim the low amateur award. Of the eight Singaporeans in the field, only two – amateurs Jaymie Ng and Athena Ni – made the cut at eight-over.

Jaymie Ng in action during the Singapore Ladies Masters held at Laguna National Golf Resort Club, on June 16. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Ng shot six-over 222 and claimed the best Singaporean finisher award.

The 19-year-old said: “I started really badly with a double bogey but I managed to recover from to finish my round one-over. I had four birdies today which is not too bad and my putting was quite good.

“I’m quite honoured to win this award and do my best this week. I’m also happy to beat some of the Singapore players like (Koh) Sock Hwee who I look up to a lot.”