So told the Herald it was an honour to get selected.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to me as I will be able to have my hard work recognised, as well as representing NZ.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a great feeling to have the opportunity to play against the world\u2019s best amateurs and I am really looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Developed by The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the prestigious championship provides a pathway to the international stage with the champion earning life-changing opportunities to play in the Women\u2019s Open, Evian Championship and The Championship.<\/p>\n
While So will be targeting success in Wellington, for now her triumph at the NZ amateur champs remains the biggest success of her career so far, where she etched her name alongside the likes of Ko.<\/p>\n
So admits to feeling plenty of nerves during the playoff, but to come out on top to claim the biggest win of her life so far was a special moment in her career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to me since it was one of my goals to win a national title this year,\u201d So said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has given me a bit more confidence for myself and made me really believe in myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the playoff for the first couple holes, I felt nervous, but I kept reminding myself to breathe and to stay relaxed, and I just focused on my process, which really helped.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, who is based in Albany but plays out of the Pak\u016branga Golf Club, started playing golf 10 years ago after her dad, Oxwin encouraged her into the sport.<\/p>\n
She quickly found a passion for the sport and hasn\u2019t looked back since practising up to six times a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve come a long way,\u201d So said. \u201cI always had the natural ability to hit the ball far, which helped me a lot, but just practising a lot helped as well.<\/p>\n
Having finished college this year, So plans to have a gap year in 2026 where she hopes to find a new level with her game.<\/p>\n
She is hoping to emulate Ko and Nelly Korda, her other favourite golfer, with plenty of success on the greens, with the ultimate goal of playing on the LPGA Tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be just practising golf,\u201d So said. \u201cAlso working and travelling the world playing tournaments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s some good pathways in NZ. The competition is quite good now since all the girls are so good.\u201d<\/p>\n