SINGAPORE – Nine-year-old Jaymie Ng witnessed one of the most exhilarating moments of her golf journey at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in 2014. Perched on her father’s shoulders at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course, Ng watched American golfer Paula Creamer sink an extraordinary 75-foot putt in a sudden-death play-off against Azahara Munoz, claiming the title and breaking a four-year winless streak.
That moment sparked a lasting passion for the sport, and Ng vowed to one day be in the position Creamer found herself in. Now, at 18, Ng is set to pursue that dream as she competes in the national qualifying tournament for the HSBC Women’s World Championship on January 8 and 9 at the Tanjong Course. Six local players, including 2024 winner Chen Xingtong, will vie for the opportunity to compete at the prestigious event. The winner will join top international players, including Olympic champion Lydia Ko, in the $2.4 million tournament from February 27 to March 2.
For Ng, a chance to play in the HSBC Women’s World Championship would be a confidence booster as she prepares for the next chapter of her career. Later this year, Ng will enrol at the University of Michigan on an athletic scholarship. She sees this as a pivotal step towards her goal of joining the LPGA Tour.
“Competing among the best professionals in the world would give me invaluable experience and make me more competitive,” Ng said. “It will also boost my confidence as I head into college.”
Ng, a 2024 graduate of the Singapore Sports School, chose the college route in the United States to gain more exposure and enhance her competitive edge. Seeing how successful Singaporean golfers such as Shannon Tan and Hiroshi Tai have benefited from college golf reassured Ng about her decision. Tan, who went on to become the first Singaporean to win on the Ladies European Tour, and Tai, who made history as the first Singaporean and Asian to win the NCAA Championship, have both leveraged their college careers for success on the international stage.
Ng believes the U.S. golf circuit offers a level of competition unmatched by opportunities in Singapore, with tournaments held almost every month and weekly qualifiers available.
“I feel that the US circuit is way more competitive, and it will help me prepare better for tournament play,” Ng explained. “In the US, they have a strong tournament structure that will make me tournament-ready.”
Her college recruitment process began after participating in the US Girls’ Junior Championship in 2022. She eventually chose the University of Michigan for its strong golf program, excellent facilities, and successful coaching staff, which has helped many players improve their rankings.
“I liked what I saw during my visit, and it was the balance between golf and academics that ultimately led me to choose Michigan,” she said. “I hope to pursue business studies while playing college golf.”
Ng’s father, Saing Leong, expressed pride in his daughter’s achievements but noted that the family will miss her when she heads to the US. Despite the emotional aspect, he believes the experience of managing golf and academics in a competitive Division 1 environment will be crucial for her growth as a golfer.
“She will learn how to manage her time efficiently, and all this exposure and independence will help her develop,” he said. “With Coach Jan Dowling’s excellent track record, we believe Jaymie is in good hands.”