SINGAPORE – Ahead of her European Women’s Tour (LET) debut at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open from February 8-11, teenage Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan tells The Straits Times she is nervous. He said he has not done so.
At Vipingo Ridge, the 19-year-old continued to prove why confidence runs in her veins. Tan, who has already made history in Kenya by becoming the first Singaporean golfer to play in the LET, achieved an astonishing debut victory with a total of 12 under par and 280 in a tournament worth 300,000 euros (approximately S$436,000). He produced one of the greatest moments in Singapore golf.
Italian Alessandra Fanari, who shared the lead with Tan at 9-under 210 after the third round, finished second with a 1-over 74 on February 11, four strokes behind her Singaporean girlfriend.
With a three-under 70 on the final day and the top prize of €45,000, Tan became the second Singaporean golfer to win a European Tour event.
Mardan Mamat won his first championship in 2006 when he won the Osim Singapore Masters, which was jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour.
In a post-tournament interview, Tan was as calm as he was on the green, refusing to get carried away by the moment. Instead, she focused on how her own victories affected others.
Tan said, “(Turning pro) was a difficult decision at first, but now I’m glad I made it. I’m proud… because my hometown juniors, anything is possible.” Because they know that and it pushes them and maybe inspires them.”
As for how this win will affect the rest of the 2024 season, she said: You can’t control what others do, but you can only control what you do and how you play, so I try to stick to my game plan throughout the season. ”
What made Tan’s win even more remarkable was that it came just weeks after she turned pro in January.
She returned to Texas Tech University in the United States, where she had been on a sports scholarship, packed her bags and left, then had to compete in two tournaments in Australia.
She followed up her stellar results with a second place at the Murray River Webex Player Series held in New South Wales from January 18-21 and an eighth place at the Vic Open held in Victoria from February 1-4. and won just over A$36,000 (S$31,000). Her recent wins have pushed her earnings in 2024 to over $96,000.
On the unique Vipingo Ridge course, where giraffes and other wildlife are right next to the rough, greens and fairways, Tan played calmly, outpacing the rest of the 108-strong field, which included 26 LET winners, by a head. His shoulders also stood out. .
Ultimately, as Tan racked up another milestone in his fledgling golf career, he came out on top as one of 20 rookies to debut in Kenya.
Lin Yeo, former president of the Singapore Women’s Golf Association and founder of the Singapore Women’s Masters and Singapore Junior Development Tour, was glued to the TV screen watching Tan play in the final round alongside her 84-year-old mother. Ta.
Mr Yeo said Tan’s win was a big win for Singapore golf, adding: “I have no other words to say than ‘Thank you, Shannon’ for making my dream come true.” I always told her to dream big, and our goals were always the Olympics and the LPGA.