Team Singapore trails Korea by 15 shots with their two-over-par total as Valencia Chang improved with a one-under-par 71 to emerge as the best-performing Singaporean after the second round of the World Amateur Team Championships (WATC) on Thursday.
Korea sits alone atop the team leaderboard with their 13-under-par total, holding a two-shot advantage over Spain and the United States with two rounds left to play as the 36 teams battle for the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Tanah Merah Country Club.
After opening with a 78, a more assured Chang returned to the Tampines course by firing three birdies on holes six, nine and 15 against two bogeys on four and 17. The 19-year-old also credited Singapore Golf Association’s national coach, Murray Smit, for providing that calming presence for an improved performance.
“I was definitely more confident with my shots. I was just seeing the target very clearly, and I had Murray with me most of the time, so that kind of helped with him giving me the confirmation, and it was really solid. Putting was okay. I was just more confident today than I was yesterday, picking a target and just committing to the shots,” said Chang.
Inez Ng also improved with a 72 after starting her campaign with a 79. The 22-year-old believes there is still a lot more golf to be played and is relishing the challenge of playing to their full potential, with Singapore in tied-15th position.
“I’m trying to focus on my processes instead of being too results-focused. Staying in the present really helped today. We haven’t shown our best yet, so I think we just need to keep doing what we are doing and enjoying the moment,” said Ng.
Chen Xingtong, meanwhile, signed for a 72. However, her score will not be included in the total as the team score is calculated based on the two lowest scores from each team.
Hosted by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) and conducted by the International Golf Federation (IGF), the WATC is held every two years and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of amateur team golf.
The women will contest the Espirito Santo Trophy from October 1–4, followed by the men competing for the Eisenhower Trophy from October 8–11.
In total, 36 teams will vie for honours in each championship. This year marks only the fifth time the WATC is being staged in Asia, with previous editions held in Japan (2014), Malaysia (2002), the Philippines (1996), and Hong Kong, China (1984).
Click here for the 2025 WATC official tee times and scoring.
