USF Athletics

USF Signs Myanmar National Team Member Thin Wai Khaing

November 14, 2019

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, NOV. 14, 2019 – "The Uprising" of the USF women's golf program continues with the addition of Myanmar national team member Thin Wai Khaing on National Signing Day.
 
Wai Khaing joins 2019 Rolex Junior All-American Melanie Green in the Bulls' Class of 2020. Starting next fall, both incoming freshmen are expected to make an instant impact for the steadily improving program led by head coach Erika Brennan and assistant coach Dalton Stevens.
 
"Thin is the picture of consistency and is not afraid of taking it low. She is incredibly accurate off the tee and her short game is creative and executed at a high level," Brennan said. "Thin excels when the pressure is on and has proven to be able to close out events and earn medalist victories.  She is optimistic and happy, and genuinely loves this game, so her work ethic will be a great fit with our team.  Thin has competed globally and should see time in the starting lineup immediately. We love being around her. Welcome to the family, Thin!"
 
Wai Khaing is the No. 8 international recruit in the Class of 2020 and checked in at No. 59 in the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings with a scoring average of 74.13. The Montverde Academy/International Junior Golf Academy standout captured titles at the 2019 IJGT Orlando Classic (72-71) and 2018 TeensGiv.org Girls Junior All-Star event (68-69-70).
 
Wai Khaing also earned runner-up honors at the Optimist Tournament of Champions (75-69) and placed fourth at the AJGA Junior at Victoria Hills (73-67). The Myanmar national team member plans to study business at USF.
 
"We are excited to welcome Thin to our signing class! We were really able to get out and recruit Thin heavily since she is at an Academy here in Florida. Leading up to the visit, we knew that she would be a great fit for 'The Uprising' and our University," Stevens said. "Once we were able to get her to campus, we knew that it was a win-win for all of us. Thin is very consistent and has the ability to make a lot of birdies. We are very excited that she has chosen to be a part of 'The Uprising.' Thin has competition experience all across the world, playing for her national team and has lived here in Florida for several years, which will help her transition quickly here at USF. We can't wait to get her here in the fall!"
 
Wai Khaing and Green will join the second-fastest rising program in the nation in 2018-19 that won two tournaments last spring. This fall, USF put together three consecutive top-10 finishes, including a fifth-place showing at the Lady Paladin Invitational on Sept. 29.
 
About USF Women's Golf
Veteran head coach Erika Brennan completed her first full season with USF in 2018-19 and helped the Bulls become the second-fastest rising program in the country as they climbed 75 spots in the national Golfstat rankings. The Bulls opened the 2018 fall season with a runner-up finish at the USA Intercollegiate and also placed second at the FIU Pat Bradley Invitational to wrap up their four-tournament run before the spring. In the spring opener, USF captured the program's first tournament team title since April 11, 2017 with a two-shot victory at the Florida Challenge. USF finished up the regular season with a 22-shot win at the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate on April 2. Freshman Ramya Meenakshisundaram became the first Bull to earn all-conference honors since 2016. 

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