Top Competitors in Asia Bound for Junior Aspirations

This just in…the JGTA Junior Aspirations at The Bluffs field is absolutely stacked. This week, 78 rising stars from 9 countries will take their talents to The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in hopes to gain or improve their Junior Order of Merit rankings. From college bound studs to promising JGTA rookies, this field has it all.

Six of the 20 Junior All-Asia Team members from last season will tee it up at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip (4 Boys and 2 Girls). These seven have proven in the past that they had what it takes to put together a season of success, awarding them with the highest levels of AJGA PBE Status per their final ranking on the Junior Order of Merit last season. For some, this is the first event of the season, providing their first opportunity to gain a ranking on the Junior Order of Merit.

These players are as follows:

  • Markus Lam (2023) of China, Hong Kong SAR
  • Jui-Tung Wu (2021) of Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei
  • Hsiao Che Yang (2021) of Tainan, Chinese Taipei
  • Hoi Ki Lau (2022) of China, Hong Kong SAR
  • Eila Galtisky (2023) of Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Pongsapak Laopakdee (2023) of Rayong, Thailand

Pongsapak Laopakdee (2023) of Rayong, Thailand was Player of the Year last season, winning the Hong Kong Junior Classic at Clearwater Bay and finishing 1st overall on the Junior Order of Merit.

Returning JGTA Champions:

  • Jui-Shen Lee (2020) of Yunlin, Chinese Taipei
  • Jiabao Song (2022) of Shanghai, China
  • Pongsapak Laopakdee (2023) of Rayong, Thailand

AJGA Champions

  • Yu Wen Lu (2021) of Shanghai, China (3 AJGA Victories)

Lu is a 3-time AJGA champion with a current Rolex AJGA Rank of 173. In addition, Lu has twice competed in the U.S. Girls’ Junior and is sure to shake up the Girls Division.

As part of the JGTA’s Grow the Game initiative, a few spots in the field are reserved for local players competing in the event.

Local players competing this week include:

  • Quoc Khanh Nong (2021) of Hanoi
  • Vu Quoc Anh Nguyen (2021) of Hanoi
  • Nhat Long Nguyen (2022) of Hanoi
  • Lam Tram (2022) of Ho Chi Minh
  • Thi Yen Vi Pham (2023) of Hanoi
  • Khanh Hung Le (2025) of Ho Chi Minh
  • Thai Nhat Nguyen (2024) of Vung Tau
  • Uy Doan (2025) of Hanoi

Only time will tell what it takes to finish atop this stacked field. Stay tuned for the action.