Chua Tze Jean

Chua Tze Jean (born 29 August 1987) is a Malaysian professional golfer. She graduated from Wake Forest University, North Carolina in May 2009 and turned professional in August 2009. She won in her debut as a professional in the Thai LPGA Open in August 2009.

She grew up in her hometown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She was educated in Abu Bakar Primary School, followed by Bukit Nanas Convent Primary School and went on to Convent Bukit Nanas Secondary School.

During her childhood (age 6–12 years), she took up rhythmic gymnastic under Russian coach Dr. Svetlana Mekantsishvili (CIS Georgia). Due to a chance outing to the driving range, she was then hooked to the clubs and gave up gymnastics.

As a kid she was hyperactive, enjoyed all types of sports. She represented her secondary school in badminton, baseball, chess and golf. Her extra-curricular activities include swimming, ballet, abseiling, piano. In golf, within a year of her handicap test (Rahman Putra Golf and Country Club) she achieved a hole-in-one (2001) and went on to be the youngest acer to win the Nissan National Hole-in-One Challenge.

At the end of 2002, she came under the tutelage of Australian coach Shane Wilding. She was then selected to join the Malaysian National squad by MALGA (Malaysian Ladies Golf Association). She won the Hong Kong McGregor Junior in 2003. With her string of amateur titles (14 titles) she earned herself a golf scholarship to further her studies in Wake Forest University, North Carolina (2 titles in collegiate golf).

Chua started playing golf in July 2001 and achieved an ‘Ace’ in December 2001.

Achievements (2002)

In 2002 Chua won the Nissan National Hole-in-One Challenge and the Golf Malaysia 'Aces of Aces' Ladies Championship.

Achievements (2003)

In 2003, Chua went on to stamp her mark in the Malaysian Junior Circuit by winning the 1st Leg SportExcel National Junior Golf Circuit, MSSKL (Malaysian Schools Sports, Kuala Lumpur) and MSSM (Malaysian Schools Sports Council). Due to her stellar performance she was recruited to the Malaysian national squad in July 2003. In August, in her first international tournament representing Malaysia, she won the Hong Kong MacGregor Junior Open.

Achievements (2004)

In 2004, again she captured the MSSM and the National Junior Circuit Grand Finals KRPM titles. On the International front, she won the Asean Girls Junior, Jarkarta (4–7 May 2004), Asean Schools Golf, Bangkok (October 2004), Royal Selangor Ladies Open, (25–27 August) RSGC and runners-up in Malaysian Ladies Open 5–8 July 2004, Glenmarie, and 2nd runners-up in Asia-Pacific Junior Championship, Royal Air Force Golf Club, Bangkok (December 2004).

Achievements (2005)

In 2005, she proved to be Malaysia’s top amateur by clinching the Malaysian Ladies Closed Championship title in Perangsang, Templer, the Northern Malaysian Ladies Open, Taiping Golf and Country Club (26–27 April 2005), and MGA 100 Plus Asean Junior Golf Championship (May 2005). With her record of achievements, she was awarded a full scholarship to Wake Forest University, North Carolina.

Her college career include winning the Lady Falcon Invitational title in 2007, Lady Tar Heel Invitational – Individual and Team Champion in 2008, and Landfall Tradition –Team Champion in 2008. In 2009, she helped her college to gain victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship – Team Champion/ Individual 5th.

Chua graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), Wake Forest University in May 2009. She returned to her hometown of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in June 2009 but continue to hone her skills in golf. She is now based in Bangkok, Thailand training in the Wilding Golf Performance Centre.