Singapore: Teenage amateur Brayden Lee will fly the flag for Singapore in next month’s Porsche Singapore Classic.

The 17-year-old fired a one-over-par 73 to place fifth in the qualifying event at Laguna National Golf Resort Club and finish as the leading Singaporean. In so doing, he has earned a start in the US$2.5 million DP World Tour event from March 20-23.

There were three qualifying spots available, with two awarded to the first and second-placed finishers and the third to the top Singaporean amateur.

Thai professional Natipong Srithong won the qualifying event with a three-under-par 69 over Laguna National’s Classic Course.

Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno carded a 71 and clinched the other spot after making a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off which also included Indonesian professional Jonathan Wijono and Hong Kong amateur Wang Ngai Shen.

Lee, who made the cut in last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan and represented the Singapore team at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Team Championship for the Nomura Cup, said: “I’ve definitely improved from last year. I tried to limit the mistakes and I was able to stay more composed. I narrowly missed out last year so I’m just looking forward to playing in the Porsche Singapore Classic.”

Winner of the 2024 Kedah Amateur Open in Malaysia and currently 361st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Lee added: “The smaller goal is to make the cut. But if you look at the bigger picture, I want to see how the professionals navigate their way around the Classic Course at Laguna National.”

Natipong’s performance was especially creditable given that he didn’t even play a practice round on the course.

“I arrived in Singapore on Monday morning and my practice round was meant to be in the afternoon, but it was raining. So, I just drove the buggy around to see the layout and didn’t get to practice. I studied the yardage book and tried to imagine being on the course. It’s not easy to make birdies, so I tried to hit more greens and fairways.”

Patrick Bowers, Porsche Singapore Classic Executive Championship Director, said: “The Porsche Singapore Classic has consistently attracted some of the top names in golf and constantly strived to create the best experiences for visitors to our event.

“Beyond that, we are aware that an event of such high calibre has the power to further grow the sport in Singapore. This is something that has always been important to the Porsche Singapore Classic.

“We are proud to once again collaborate with Laguna National to create opportunities for deserving professionals and amateurs in Singapore to earn their place in the field.”

*Laguna National Golf Resort Club is a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.