The 9th RSGC-SportExcel Junior Invitational Golf Championship 2024 showcased the extraordinary talent of Ngo Yi Belle, a young golf prodigy who emerged as the Girl Champion. Her victory was particularly notable as she triumphed in a playoff, scoring 232. In an exclusive interview, Belle recounted her remarkable journey through the tournament, sharing the challenges, triumphs, and emotional moments that led to her victory.
“I’m 15 this year, and I’m very happy to be here,” Belle said. “Thank you, SportExcel and RSGC, for organizing this event. When I came for the practice round, it was very hot, so I thought I wouldn’t survive these three days, but I pulled through it.”
Belle’s journey in the tournament began with a solid performance on the first day, scoring 77 despite the intense heat. The second day brought challenges with an 80, but Belle’s resilience shone through. The final day was a fierce competition against her friend Sanvi, leading to a thrilling playoff that showcased Belle’s determination and skill.
Belle detailed her performance over the three days of the tournament. “On day one, I played a 77, which is a decent score; I’m quite happy about it. It was hot, but I managed to keep my focus.
“On day two, I kind of messed around and got an 80, but it was a safe 80. My first nine holes was bad, but my second nine was good. Yeah, I’m happy with it.
The third day was particularly thrilling. “It was very competitive. My friend Sanvi was the leader after day two, and I was two strokes behind her. To be honest, I didn’t really expect that I would win, but until the last few holes, I remembered my parents’ words: ‘Fight on, don’t give up, anything might happen, the ball is round.’. So I fought on, and on the last hole, I tied with her. We had to go for a playoff.
Our playoff went for three rounds. The first playoff, I missed a short putt; I wasn’t really happy about it. The second one, I saved par with a long second putt. And on the third one, I made my birdie, which won the game for me.”
In addition to this prestigious title, Belle also received the Rookie Award and was the best-finishing Malaysian female, further underscoring her exceptional abilities.
Reflecting on her victory, Belle expressed her gratitude. “It was an amazing experience; it was my first-ever playoff. Thank you so much to Sanvi and also my flight mates for the past few days, and my family, everyone who supported me. Thank you, MGA, National Junior Development Programme, Tunas Bestari, and special thanks to MALGA too.”
Belle’s victory at RSGC is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and hard work. This win marks a significant milestone in her early career, and it is clear that Belle has a bright future ahead in the world of golf.
As Belle continues to rise in the golfing world, her remarkable performance at the 9th RSGCSportExcel Junior Invitational Golf Championship 2024 will be remembered as a defining moment in her budding career.
