Melbourne-based Malaysian teenager Jeneath Wong is looking forward to making her Southeast Asian (SEA) Games debut in the 31st edition of the multi-sports meet next month.

The 17-year-old talent has been in good form recently, successfully defending her Australian Junior Amateur title in Adelaide last week with a total score of eight-under-par 284 at the Vines Golf Club of Reynella. She was only one of two golfers to finish under-par, along with runner-up Sarah Hammett.

"I'm definitely really excited to compete in my first SEA Games. I believe it will be a big step up for me competing with all the top amateurs in the region," said Jeneath, who has lived in Melbourne since 2015 when her family moved there. 

"I think I’ll be flying straight to Hanoi because I would still have school and can’t miss too many classes," added the St Catherine's School student.

The SEA Games golf event will be played at Heron Lake Golf Club in Hanoi on May 13-18. Currently in 77th spot on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Jeneath will be the highest-ranked player in the Malaysian squad in the absence of the country's top two women amateurs, US-based Natasha Oon and Ashley Lau. The other two players who will make the trip to Hanoi are Mirabel Ting and Ng Jing Xuen.

Natasha and Ashley were part of the team that claimed sliver in the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, but both are unable to join the team this year due to their college golf commitments for the final stretch of the 2021/22 NCAA season.

Jeneath noted that her game is in good shape, which augurs well for Hanoi. "My game has been good recently, especially my approach shots which have set up a lot of birdie chances and make it a bit easier to score," she said.

As for her plans after the SEA Games, Jeneath said that she will be busy catching up on all the schoolwork and tests she missed. "From a golf point of view, I would see how I perform in the tournament and work on those areas I need to improve on, so I get it all fixed and ready for the next big tournament," she said.

Once she finishes high school later this year, Jeneath will be heading to the United States on a golf scholarship to Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.