Malaysia Ladies Amateur Open: Guntas Kaur Sandhu tied 2nd, India 3rd in teams
Synopsis
Fifteen-year-old Guntas Kaur Sandhu is just one shot off the lead after Round 1 of the Malaysia Ladies Amateur Open, with teammate Ceerat Kang close behind in sixth. India's two-player squad — ranked first and second on the IGU Ladies Order of Merit — has the firepower to challenge for both the individual and team titles over the final two rounds.
Key Takeaways
Guntas Kaur Sandhu (15) carded a one-over 73 to share second place after Round 1 of the Malaysia Ladies Amateur Open on 28 July 2026 .
Ceerat Kang shot a two-over 74 to finish Day 1 in sixth position .
India are placed third in the team championship with a combined three-over 147 .
Malaysia's Foong Zi Yu leads the field at one-under 71 .
The tournament is in its 40th edition , hosted at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Selangor , featuring 54 golfers from 11 countries .
Both Indian golfers are top-two on the IGU Ladies Order of Merit and have combined for seven victories in the 2025-26 season.
Guntas Kaur Sandhu of Chandigarh carded a composed one-over 73 on Tuesday to share second place with three other golfers after the opening round of the Malaysia Ladies Amateur Open at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club in Selangor, Malaysia. The 15-year-old is one of two Indian players competing in the 40th edition of the tournament, which runs from 28 to 30 July 2026.
Opening Round Scorecards
Malaysia's Foong Zi Yu leads the field after posting a one-under 71, a single shot clear of Guntas and her co-leaders. Panchkula's Ceerat Kang, the other member of the Indian contingent, carded a two-over 74 at the par-72 course to end Day 1 in sole sixth position. In the team standings, India sit third with a combined score of three-over 147 after the first of three rounds.
How Guntas Played Her Round
Guntas sank birdies on the 9th, 11th, and 16th holes but dropped shots on the 10th, 15th, 17th, and 18th. Reflecting on her round, she said: 'The course is playing in pristine conditions, and I quite liked how it behaved today. I tried to utilise all my learnings on the IGU circuit here in Malaysia, and the outcome has been very positive. There are two rounds left, and I resolve to maintain my concentration and focus on the process. Hoping for a memorable result.'
The Indian Team's Credentials
The two-member squad was sent by the Indian Golf Union (IGU), the National Sports Federation (NSF) recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), Government of India. Ceerat Kang, aged 19, holds the No. 1 ranking on the IGU Ladies Order of Merit, while Guntas is ranked second. Ceerat recorded 12 top-10 finishes in 20 starts this season, including a title at the Greens to Glory Junior Masters Championship. Guntas has been even more prolific, posting 13 top-10 finishes and four victories from 20 starts — winning the IGU Eastern India Ladies, IGU Southern India Ladies, IGU Maharashtra Ladies, and IGU West Bengal Ladies titles in the 2025-26 season.
Tournament Field and Format
A total of 54 golfers from 11 countries — including China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore — are competing in the event. Individual honours will be decided after 54 holes, while the team championship is settled over 36 holes based on the combined scores of each country's two-player squad. With two rounds remaining, both Indian players remain well within striking distance of podium finishes.
Point of View
Playing abroad, and sitting one shot off the lead in a 54-player international field. The IGU's decision to send the top two players on its Ladies Order of Merit — rather than more experienced names — reflects a deliberate youth-first strategy, and early returns suggest it is working. The real test is whether either player can sustain composure over rounds two and three, where course familiarity and tournament pressure typically sort young talent from established amateurs. India's third-place team position also keeps the team trophy in play, which would be a significant result for the programme.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malaysia Ladies Amateur Open 2026?
The Malaysia Ladies Amateur Open is a prestigious international amateur golf tournament in its 40th edition, staged at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club in Selangor, Malaysia, from 28 to 30 July 2026. It features 54 golfers from 11 countries competing over three rounds for individual honours, with a team championship decided over 36 holes.
How did Guntas Kaur Sandhu perform in Round 1?
Guntas Kaur Sandhu carded a one-over 73 at the par-72 Glenmarie course, sinking birdies on the 9th, 11th, and 16th holes. She shares second place with three other golfers, one shot behind leader Foong Zi Yu of Malaysia.
Where does India stand in the team championship?
India are third in the team standings after Round 1, with a combined score of three-over 147. The team championship is decided over 36 holes using the combined scores of Ceerat Kang and Guntas Kaur Sandhu.
Who are Ceerat Kang and Guntas Kaur Sandhu?
Both are top-ranked Indian amateur golfers sent by the Indian Golf Union. Ceerat Kang, 19, from Panchkula holds the No. 1 spot on the IGU Ladies Order of Merit and has 12 top-10 finishes this season. Guntas Kaur Sandhu, 15, from Chandigarh is ranked second and has four victories from 20 starts in the 2025-26 season.
What happens next in the tournament?
Two rounds remain, with the individual winner decided after 54 holes. Both Indian players are well-placed to challenge for podium finishes, and India's third-place team position keeps the team trophy within reach.
