KUALA LUMPUR: National amateur golfer Mirabel Ting proved she could hold her own against LPGA Tour heavyweights, firing an impressive five-under 67 to claim joint 11th position after the opening round of the Maybank Championship today.
The 18-year-old Sarawakian thrilled home fans at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, carding six birdies against a single bogey.
Her performance placed her alongside France's Celine Boutier and Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul, the defending champion and last year's runner-up respectively.
Making her LPGA Tour debut, Mirabel made an immediate impact by birdieing four of her first five holes.
After a bogey on the 10th hole, she quickly recovered with birdies on the 14th and 18th to finish four shots behind leader Mao Saigo of Japan.
The World Amateur Golf Ranking's eighth-ranked player was elated with her performance, particularly in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
"It was pretty great today. Got a little bit nervous like on the tee shot, didn't know what to expect," said Mirabel, who's ranked eighth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
"Shooting five-under on this challenging golf course is something that I would never thought I would be able to do it in front of a big crowd and on this big stage."
Despite her brilliant start, Mirabel remained grounded about her expectations.
"I told myself coming into this, just play my game. You know, if putts drop, it drops. I'm here to learn this week and I'm here to just experience what it's like to be on the LPGA Tour.
"I just want to get out there and try to do my best, and whatever the outcome is, it is what it is."
Mirabel's performance stood out among her fellow Malaysians.
Ashley Lau posted a 73 to tie for 66th place, while Nur Durriyah Damian and Liyana Durisic struggled with rounds of 78 and 79, placing them 76th and 77th respectively in the 78-player field.