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Girls' Amateur
History-maker Wong eyes another silver lining in Girls’ Amateur
14 Aug 25
5 mins
Sabrina Wong’s never-say-die spirit was rewarded at Conwy as the supremely talented 13-year-old battled her way into the quarter-finals of the Girls’ Amateur Championship.
In a fascinating, fluctuating duel with the French champion, Giselle Zhao, Wong rallied on the run-in and turned a two-hole deficit after 15 into a one-hole victory. Wong, who was born in Hong Kong but moved with her family to Glasgow a couple of years ago to continue her golfing education in Scotland, has already created history this season by becoming the youngest winner of the R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship. On the North Wales coast this week, the Cathkin Braes member is looking to become the first 13-year-old to win the Girls’ Amateur crown since Longniddry’s Nancy Jupp way back in 1934.Amazing match
“It was an amazing match,” said Wong with a gasp of jubilation. “I was two-down standing on the 16th tee so I just thought ‘it’s all or nothing’. I just got my driver out. I hit it to the side of the green and two-putted for birdie to win the hole and that got me back in it.” Parity was restored on the 17th when Zhao, who had beaten the defending champion Havanna Torstensson in the morning, got in trouble in the bunker. Worse was to come for the 16-year-old French girl on the last. Her second shot landed in the sand and she flew her third wildly over towards the practice putting green. Wong’s thrilling turnaround was complete and she teed-up a last-eight joust with Spain’s Blanca Gomez-Balboa. “On the front nine, Giselle played so well and didn’t make a mistake,” added Wong of her opponent’s early authority. “It was hard for me to keep up with her but I was proud of how I dug in. That’s match play golf. You never give up, especially on the last few holes of this course.”Overcoming illness
On another day of engrossing cut-and-thrust, Liva Krol Andersen rose from her sick bed and was in rude health again after securing her quarter-final place.
The 18-year-old beat her good friend, travelling companion and the number one seed, Benedicte Brent-Petersen, in an all-Danish tussle that went the full distance.
It was a gallant effort from Andersen, who was struck down with an illness on the eve of the second day of knock-out matches but bounced back to win both her ties.
“I felt I wouldn’t make it through to today,” admitted Andersen, who won the Danish Girls’ Championship last season. “I was sick during the night. Perhaps I had too much sun, I don’t know? I was better in the morning but even when I started my warm-up I wasn’t great. I got some electrolytes in my water and that seemed to help me. I’m proud of myself for getting through.”