• Oide one to watch after Q School triumph

Japan’s Mizuki Oide has stamped herself as a player to watch this season after taking at WPGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School by two strokes at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club on Tuesday.

After rain wreaked havoc with Round 1 on Monday, the 58-strong field had no such issues on day two, completing the final round with no further interruptions on a West Course that was presented in magnificent condition given the deluge the day prior.

Starting the day just one back of 16-year-old Thai sensation Cholcheva Wongras and level with Malaysia’s Ashley Lau, Oide backed up her 67 on Monday with a 6-under 66 for a two-round total of 11-under and medallist by two shots.

The top three finishers all came from the final group with Lau (68) outright second at 9-under followed by Wongras (70) at 8-under.

Korea’s Ina Yoon (68) was fourth while Brisbane’s Elmay Viking earned top Aussie honours with a two-round total of 6-under 66, level with American Kayla Thompson.

The top-five finishers will earn a category that is likely to get them into every event this season, including the two $500,000 tournaments co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour at Magenta Shores (Women’s NSW Open) and Bonville Resort (Australian Women’s Classic).

A regular on the Japan Ladies PGA tour since 2017, Oide is currently ranked No.303 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking.

Despite two top-10 finishes last season, Oide failed to keep her card on her home tour and was also unsuccessful at Q School.

She retains some status but can now use the WPGA season to play her way into form, starting with the Melbourne International at Latrobe Golf Club this weekend.

One of a host of Japanese players coached by Australian PGA Professional Steve McRae, the 26-year-old looks set to build on her limited appearances to date in Australia before heading home to Japan.

Lau is another who looks set for a bright future.

A graduate of the University of Michigan who was named Big Ten Golfer of the Year in 2022, Lau recorded two top-five finishes in her rookie season on the Epson Tour in 2023, her best finish was third at the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic in August.

She was tied with Oide at 10-under playing the final hole on Tuesday but her bogey and Oide’s birdie made the final margin two strokes.

There were just five Australians in the top 20 finishers on the leaderboard, promising an international flavour for the tournaments ahead.

Final scores

Photo: BJ Shaw

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