Maybank Championship: Mirabel Determined To Play Her Own Game

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian golfer Mirabel Ting is learning to trust herself and play for the love of the game, rather than the expectations of others, as she prepares to tee off at the LPGA Maybank Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) this week.

Having emerged as Malaysia’s best-performing golfer in last year’s edition, the 21-year-old Sarawakian is returning with a refreshed mindset, determined to enjoy the game and let her performance do the talking.

The experience of competing on different tours has helped her realise that golf is a personal journey, one in which her focus should be on her own game rather than the pressure to meet other people’s expectations.

“I think after half of the season, I kind of realised that I don’t play golf for people, I play golf for myself. I love the game of golf.

“So this year, I’m just going to go out there and play. I’m not going to think about things, still going to be the same,” she told reporters at a press conference here today.

That change in outlook could prove important as Mirabel takes on a strong field at the tournament, where she will also be looking to make the most of familiar surroundings without allowing expectations to weigh her down.

On the course conditions, she believes players could be in for a low-scoring week, with wetter fairways and softer, more receptive greens offering greater opportunities to attack the pins.

“I think the conditions this year are a little bit different from the past two years that I played. It’s a lot wetter than the previous year that I played, and the greens are very receptive and you can spin the ball on the green.

“So, this year is a little bit different, and I think we’ll see a couple of low scores this year,” she said.

Mirabel finished joint 49th in last year’s edition, while her best result at the tournament came in 2024, when she finished joint 12th.

Malaysian golfer Mirabel Ting is hoping to build on her impressive performance at last year's Maybank Championship when she returns to compete in the 2026 edition at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) this week.

Mirabel, who emerged as the best-performing Malaysian in last year's tournament, said she would approach this year's competition with a different mindset, focusing on enjoying her game rather than putting unnecessary pressure on herself.

she sadded her experiences competing on different tours had taught her the importance of maintaining the same approach regardless of the level of competition.

“I think after half of the season, I kind of realised that I don't play golf for people, I play golf for myself. I love the game of golf.

“So this year's just going to go out there and play. I'm not going to think about things, still going to be the same," she said during the press conference here today.

Commenting on the course conditions, Mirabel expects lower scores this year, noting that the wetter fairways and softer greens could provide players with more scoring opportunities compared with previous editions.

“I think the conditions this year are a little bit different from the past two years that I played. It's a lot wetter than the previous year that I played and the greens are very receptive and can spin the ball on the green.

“So, this year is a little bit different, and I think we'll see a couple of low scores this year," she said.

For the record, Mirabel finished joint 49th in last year’s edition, while her best result in the tournament came in 2024, when she finished joint 12th.

-- BERNAMA