Latest news with #2025AnnikaAward
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Annika Award winner Mirabel turns pro at 19
KUALA LUMPUR: In a surprise move, golfer Mirabel Ting has announced she is turning professional at 19 and will make her debut in grand fashion at next week's Amundi Evian Championship — one of the five women's golf majors — in France. The Miri-born star caught many off guard with the timing of her decision, as she still has one year left before graduating from Florida State University (FSU). In a Facebook post shared on Thursday, Mirabel wrote: "Thank you amateur golf. I can't wait for the next chapter. I'm super excited to announce that I will be making my first professional debut at the Amundi Evian Championship." If anything, Mirabel must have thought her decision through carefully and believes she is now ready to take on the big leagues. There's enough evidence to suggest she belongs. Mirabel recently wrapped up the 2024-2025 US collegiate season as the No. 1 player, winning the prestigious 2025 Annika Award — becoming the first Asian to do so. The accolade also earned her a coveted spot in the US$8 million (RM33.74 million) showpiece at Evian Resort Golf Club. In nine starts for the Seminoles last season, Mirabel won five times and only finished outside the top three once. She posted a remarkable scoring average of 67.1 — the best in the country. She has also proven, on more than one occasion, that she can hold her own against the professionals. Last October, she impressed at the Maybank Championship — Malaysia's LPGA Tour stop — where she finished tied-12th against a world-class field. She also won the Fortuner Cup on the Toyota Tour, further underlining her ability to compete beyond the amateur circuit. Her decision means that the recent TSM Golf Challenge, held two weeks ago, now stands as her final amateur appearance. Fittingly, she signed off in style by successfully defending her title at the prestigious event. It was during that time she told the media of her intention to complete her senior year, but in a heartfelt message posted on Thursday, she revealed a change of heart, declaring: "After years of dedication and heart, I'm proud to announce that I'm turning professional and chasing my dream of playing on the LPGA Tour." The former world No. 2 amateur can expect sponsor exemptions into professional tournaments as she gears up for the LPGA Tour Qualifying School in pursuit of full playing rights for next season. According to Golfweek, Mirabel has signed with Fidelity Sports Group for representation and will be managed by FSG's CEO David Moorman and president Drew Carr. FSU coach Amy Bond is confident her star pupil is ready for the next stage. "It's our job as coaches to get them ready for the next level, and they're ready," said Bond. Her decision to turn professional also means she will no longer be eligible to represent Malaysia at the Thailand Sea Games in December, dealing a major blow to the national team's hopes of retaining the women's individual gold medal won by Ng Jing Xuen in Cambodia last year.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mirabel Ting, college golf's No. 1 player, will make pro debut at Evian Championship
Before the world knew of her plans, Mirabel Ting wanted to first share the good news with her ailing grandfather. Growing up in Malaysia, she'd get out of school at 1:30 p.m. and head to the golf course with her older brother Malcolm and their grandfather for a quick nine holes. They'd do the same on the weekends at Miri Golf Club. Five days a week, every week. When she and Malcolm needed money to play tournaments internationally or go to school in Australia, grandpa was there. 'He always wanted me to turn professional and play in a major,' said Ting. The family's dream comes true next week at the Amundi Evian Championship, where Ting will make her professional debut in her first major championship. The best player in college golf last year, Florida State's Ting is poised to take her supreme ball-striking skills to the next level. In nine starts for the Seminoles last season, Ting won five times, finishing outside the top 3 only once – a T-6 at the Moon Invitational. She was 80 under par for the season, amassing a school single-season scoring record of 68.77. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Ting faced a total of 786 competitors and had an overall record of 770 wins, 10 losses and six ties. 'In my 25 years, she's by far the best ball-striker I've ever seen,' said FSU head coach Amy Bond. After helping the Seminoles win their first ACC title, Ting finished the season No. 1 in the college rankings and clinched the 2025 Annika Award presented by Stifel, which came with an exemption into the Evian. She credits much of her success in 2025 – particularly her putting – to the addition of Kris Assawapimonporn, longtime swing coach of Jeeno Thitikul, to her team. 'The season I had, I was shocked,' said Ting, who leaves the Seminoles ahead of her senior year. And while she has learned the importance of not putting too many expectations on herself, she does have one clear goal – become the first player from Malaysia to win on the LPGA. With teammate Lottie Woad on the cusp of earning her LPGA card through the tour's new LEAP program, the Seminoles are likely to be without the two best players in the world this fall. Woad is currently No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking while Ting is No. 2. "It's our job as coaches to get them ready for the next level," said Bond, "and they're ready." Ting has signed with Fidelity Sports Group for representation and will be managed by FSG's CEO David Moorman and President Drew Carr. After the Evian, she hopes to play on Malaysia's professional tour to keep sharp ahead of LPGA Qualifying School. She'll continue to rely heavily on Michelle Koh, a former touring pro who now coaches in Malaysia and has become like a sister to Ting. After Ting lost her father, Thomas, shortly after she arrived at Augusta University as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in the fall of 2022, it was Koh who pulled her out of a dark place. The Augusta team was en route to a tournament in Statesboro, Georgia, when then head coach Caroline Haase-Hegg heard players saying 'Coach, Coach,' from the back of the van. Haase-Hegg looked back to see a devastated Ting, who'd just received word that her father had died from a massive heart attack. 'It was horrible,' said Haase-Hegg. 'We were right about to Statesboro, and I didn't know what to do. Do we turn around; do we keep going?' She called Georgia Southern coach Mimi Burke, who, like Haase-Hegg, has Purdue roots. They drove to Burke's home, sat together as a team and cried. Just a few years prior, Ting lost her beloved grandmother while she was studying abroad in Australia. It was during the COVID pandemic in 2020, and she couldn't go home. 'I'm the only granddaughter in the family,' said Ting. 'My grandma really, really adores me. … When she was gone, it just feels like a piece of me just disappeared.' When her dad died not long after, it felt like another part had vanished. Ting was up late in Thailand on Wednesday night talking about the past and looking ahead to the future because she was afraid to go to sleep. Doctors had already told the family that her grandfather, Ng Siaw Pheng, had taken a turn for the worse, and she was anxious to get back home. She couldn't wait to show him a graphic made by the Florida State athletic department declaring the news of her decision. While next week's Evian Championship offers an opportunity to make life-changing money, Ting isn't thinking about that. The week will ultimately be a chance to honor her family. 'I'm not actually playing for myself at the Evian,' said a grateful Ting. 'I'm actually playing for three people – my grandma, my dad and my grandfather.' They'll be with her the whole way.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida State's Mirabel Ting wins 2025 Annika Award, given to college golf's Player of the Year
Florida State's Mirabel Ting wins 2025 Annika Award, given to college golf's Player of the Year Show Caption Hide Caption Drone flyover video of Omni La Costa North Course par-3 12th hole Omni La Costa is hosting the NCAA mens and womens golf championships for a second year in a row. The North Course features a long par-3 12th hole. When Mirabel Ting first came to the United States, she felt alone. She didn't have any friends. Her family was on the other side of the world in Malaysia. She started her college golf career at Augusta before transferring to Florida State, where she has spent the past two seasons. Her lone goal coming to the U.S. to play college golf? "So I just tell myself, if I could just practice hard and be successful, one day, I'll be able to help out my family, my friends, and you know just what I'm trying to do is be successful and make everyone at home proud." She has accomplished every bit of that this season. On Tuesday, Ting was named the winner of the 2025 Annika Award presented by Stifel, given to the best female golfer in college golf. Ting is the first Annika Award winner from Florida State and also the first Annika Award winner from Malaysia. Ting put together an incredible season playing on the same team as the No. 1 amateur in the world, Lottie Woad. Ting won five times this season in nine stroke-play starts, her worst finish being T-6. All season, she lost to only 10 players. "Everyone on that trophy, they're all pretty successful and on the LPGA Tour," Ting said. "I'm just hoping to be like that as well one day. It's kind of cool to have my name on it." With her Annika Award win, she also receives an exemption into the Amundi Evian Championship in France this summer. Ting slowly rose up the World Amateur Golf Ranking this season, eventually giving Florida State coach Amy Bond the top two players in not only college golf but the world. While Woad remains No. 1 in WAGR, Ting has been the best player in college this year, and her peers took notice. The winner of the Annika Award is selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media and has been handed out annually since the 2014 season. Bond recognized her talent long before, though. "She's probably the best ball striker we've ever had from start to finish, where it's like, see flag, hit flag," Bond said. "That's what she does. But the difference, especially from last year to this year, is definitely she's making a lot more putts. She's going to knock it inside of 15 feet 80% of the time. "Her running joke with me is because I'm like, 'You got to practice your short game.' And she's like, 'Coach, why do I need to practice my short game when I hit 17 or 18 greens a round,' but the difference this year is that she's actually making those putts." Around Christmas, Ting flew to Thailand to begin working with Kris Assawapimonporn, Jeeno Thitikul's longtime instructor. They worked mostly on putting – everything from set-up, to speed to green reading. And those changes helped culminate the best player in college golf. "She's goofy. She's got a good sense of humor. She likes to laugh," Bond said. "The biggest thing with her is she likes to have fun." Past Annika Award winners 2024: Ingrid Lindblad, LSU 2023: Rose Zhang, Stanford 2022: Rose Zhang, Stanford 2021: Rachel Heck, Stanford 2020: Natalie Srinivasan, Furman 2019: Maria Fassi, Arkansas 2018: Maria Fassi, Arkansas 2017: Leona Maguire, Duke 2016: Bronte Law, UCLA 2015: Leona Maguire, Duke 2014: Alison Lee, UCLA
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 must-watch players at the 2025 NCAA Women's Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
It's time for the national championship. The 2025 NCAA Women's Golf Championship gets underway Friday at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa's North Course in Carlsbad, California. Thirty of the best women's golf teams in the country will descend upon Southern California to battle it out for the national title. And making up those teams are some of the best players in the amateur game. There are numerous stars who will play for the individual title over the coming days at Omni La Costa, including plenty who are finalists for the 2025 Annika Award. 10 players to watch at NCAA Women's Golf Championship Carla Bernat, Kansas State Bernat, the Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion, beat the two top-ranked players in college golf to win the NCAA Lexington Regional last week, her third victory of the year. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Carolina Chacarra, Wake Forest Chacarra has been a stalwart in Wake Forest's lineup since the Demon Deacons won the national title two years ago, and after winning the NCAA Lubbock Regional, she's in form heading to Omni La Costa. Hannah Darling, South Carolina Darling hasn't won since the season opening Annika Intercollegiate, but she also hasn't finished outside of the top 14 and is always in contention in the biggest events. Kary Hollenbaugh, Ohio State Hollenbaugh has had a dominant spring, winning four times. A T-10 at the NCAA Columbus Regional is a "bad" finish for her, but no one has won more than her in 2025. Maria Jose Marin, Arkansas A constant presence in the Razorbacks' lineup for two years, Marin knows how to content in big events, and it shouldn't be a surprise to see her near the top of the leaderboard. Farah O'Keefe, Texas O'Keefe is the best player in college golf without a win this season, but she has seven top-10 finishes, including a solo second at the NCAA Lubbock Regional. Andrea Revuelta, Stanford It's hard to pick just one player from Stanford, but Revuelta has been the hottest coming into the NCAA Championship, winning both the ACC individual title and NCAA Norman Regional. Kiara Romero, Oregon Romero was one of the most consistent players in the country heading into the postseason, and she finally broke through at the Big 10 Championship and added another win at the NCAA Gold Canyon Regional. Mirabel Ting, Florida State Ting is part of a dominant Florida State 1-2 punch (more on No. 2 later), winning five times this season and losing to only nine golfers in eight stroke-play events all year. Lottie Woad, Florida State The other half of the Seminoles' dynamic duo, Woad led after the opening round at NCAAs last year and has remained the No. 1 amateur in the world for coming up on a year.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Meet the 10 finalists for the 2025 Annika Award, women's college golf's Player of the Year
Meet the 10 finalists for the 2025 Annika Award, women's college golf's Player of the Year And then there were 10. After NCAA Regionals concluded Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship field is set for May 16-21 at Omni La Costa's North Course in Carlsbad, California. With one tournament left in the 2024-25 women's college golf season, the best players across the country have separated themselves from the rest, but only one can win the Annika Award. The Annika Award presented by Stifel honors the Player of the Year in women's college golf, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media. Finalists for the Annika Award were selected by a panel of Golfweek and Golf Channel reporters. They are listed alphabetically. If you fit one of the listed criteria above, here's a link to cast your vote: More: Meet the teams, individuals who advanced to the 2025 NCAA Div. I Women's Golf Championship Meet the 10 finalists for the 2025 Annika Award: Carla Bernat, Kansas State Class: Senior Wins: 3 (Powercat Invitational, MountainView Collegiate, NCAA Lexington Regional) Top-10 finishes: 9 Stroke play events: 11 Ranking: No. 17 Carolina Chacarra, Wake Forest Class: Senior Wins: 2 (Jackson T. Stephens, NCAA Lubbock Regional) Top-10 finishes: 7 Stroke play events: 10 Ranking: No. 4 Kary Hollenbaugh, Ohio State Class: Junior Wins: 4 (Therese Hession Regional, Spartan Suncoast, Clemson Invitational, Therese Hession Buckeye) Top-10 finishes: 6 Stroke play events: 10 Ranking: No. 13 Jasmine Koo, USC Class: Freshman Wins: 4 (Windy City, Stanford Intercollegiate, East Lake Cup, Juli Inkster) Top-10 finishes: 7 Stroke play events: 11 Ranking: No. 8 Maria Jose Marin, Arkansas Class: Sophomore Wins: 2 (Blessings Collegiate, Puerto Rico Classic) Top-10 finishes: 7 Stroke play events: 11 Ranking: No. 6 Meja Ortengren, Stanford Class: Freshman Wins: 1 (San Diego State Classic) Top-10 finishes: 8 Stroke play events: 8 Ranking: No. 5 Andrea Revuelta, Stanford Class: Freshman Wins: 2 (ACC Championship, NCAA Norman Regional) Top-10 finishes: 5 Stroke play events: 6 Ranking: No. 7 Kiara Romero, Oregon Class: Sophomore Wins: 2 (Big 10 Championship, NCAA Gold Canyon Regional) Top-10 finishes: 8 Stroke play events: 10 Ranking: No. 2 Mirabel Ting, Florida State Class: Junior Wins: 5 (Folds of Honor, Schooner Fall Classic, Collegiate Invitational, Briar's Creek, FSU Match Up) Top-10 finishes: 8 Stroke play events: 8 Ranking: No. 1 Lottie Woad, Florida State Class: Junior Wins: 2 (Landfall Tradition, Moon Golf) Top-10 finishes: 10 Stroke play events: 10 Ranking: No. 3
