Lai was a 10th grader in Marianas High School when he decided to stop schooling in 2008 after getting hooked to the sport he got the chance to learn only on Saipan.
He shot 65 to win the qualifying round last Saturday, for the Refaluwasch Golf Association’s January Ace of the Month.
Joining the RGA only this month, Lai is the newest member of golfers’ group. He and Luis Byun are among the youngest members.
Held at the Coral Ocean Point, the RGA qualifier was drew over 50 members.
Shooting 45 and 40 in the front and back nines respectively, the 20-handicapper finished 13 strokes over par 85 and got the lowest net of 65 to top the qualifying game.
Lai who came from Jilin, China had just completed his second year on Saipan, and since then, he started playing golf until he decided to quit his class for the sport.
Jess Wabol who fired 1-under par 35 in the back nine grossed 72 to score a net of 70.
Coming next to Lai however, was Jerry Ayuyu who went 4-over par 40 in the front nine and struggled in the back nine shooting only 10-over par 46 to gross 85 and had a net of 68.
Carl Hocog, also new to the group shot 3-over par 39 in the front nine and 7-over par in the back nine to finish with a gross of 81 and eventually tied with Ayuyu on 68 net.
Dwain Stephen who shot 87 and Asterio Tawanpiy, 78 tied in the third place, both eking out 69 net.
Ben Duenas and Luis Byun also tied in 71 net, both just one shot ahead of Bae Yong Man who finished with 72 net.
