ASHLEY Lau faces a tough test when she plays in the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open at Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course next week.

The top-ranked Malaysian women’s golfer will come up against the likes of Thailand’s in-form Patty Tavatanakit, South Korea’s defending champion Park Ji-young and Lee Ye-won, winner of the 2023 Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) money list.

The US$1.1mil tournament to be staged from March 7 to 10 is co-sanctioned by Singapore Golf Association and KLPGA, and will feature several players from Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand.

Ashley, 23, who has just returned from a successful visit to Australia which she used to prepare for the upcoming Epson Tour season, saw off the challenge of world number 16 Shin Ji-yai to claim her first title as a professional at the 2024 Vic Open.

In Singapore, she will compete alongside rising Thai stars Jaravee Boonchant and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap.

Top Singapore professionals Amanda Tan and Koh Sock Hwee will also be in their national open, alongside elite national amateur players Aloysa Atienza, Jaymie Ng, Chen Xingtong and Jillian Kuk.