Bowler Geraldine doesn't want to pressure herself ahead of finals

Focus on the process and don't overthink - that is bowler Geraldine Ng's mantra at the 48th Singapore International Open qualifiers.

The philosophy, along with a familiarity with the competition venue - SingaporeBowling @ Rifle Range - has served the 30-year-old well the last two weeks.

"We have been training here since last year ...and I am just hoping for a push of luck to get me there." - Singapore bowler Geraldine Ng

Ng led the local qualifying pool for much of the qualification period, which started on May 28, before she was finally overtaken by Bernice Lim (1,467 pinfalls) at the end of qualifying last night, while last year's World Women's Championships All-Events gold medallist Shayna Ng (1,421) was third.

All three receive a bye into the second round of tomorrow's Finals.

"Actually bowling is pretty easy, it's just that we tend to think too much and want to change this or that," said Ng, who finished fourth at the QubicaAMF World Cup last year.

"And because we change so much, there's so much variation that we are not consistent any more."

Ironically, change was what led to Ng's improved form and confidence in the past few months.

"I have changed some of my footwork and my physical game, and in the past few competitions I have been quite confident," said Ng, a women's trios gold medallist at last year's Asian Championships.

ON A ROLL

"I have gained momentum and confidence (from the changes)."

With defending champion Sin Li Jane of Malaysia not competing, Ng is vying to be the first local winner of the Singapore Open since her teammate Cherie Tan won the women's title in 2008.

Since then, Shayna Ng (2014) and Jazreel Tan (2011) have come closest with their seconds.

"I don't want to think too much; obviously I want to win but I just want to focus on my process and try my best that I can," said Ng, who has not made the step-ladder finals of this competition in the last decade.

"I don't want to overthink things and put too much unnecessary pressure on myself."

She and other Singaporeans will be up against a strong foreign contingent which includes Indonesia's Sharon Limansantoso, Malaysian veteran Shalin Zulkifli, and a strong South Korean side that boast of Jeon Eun Hee and Jung Da Wun, winners of the women's singles and Masters respectively at last December's World Women's Bowling Championships.

That was why Ng was at the lanes yesterday polishing her moves on "fresh" lanes - bowling lanes that were just oiled - when she didn't need to improve her standing.

She said: "The 'fresh' is apparently pretty tough across the house, and I just want to try as many bowling balls as possible to see which fit these conditions best.

"We have been training here since last year, and we know the characteristics of some of the lanes... and I am just hoping for a push of luck to get me there."

Top local qualifier Lim added: "I am feeling more confident going into the finals this weekend. My game plan is just to continue to focus on the process and do my very best."