MALAYSIA’s top amateur Kelly Tan will be going to the Guangzhou Asian Games next month with a renewed sense of belief after having a good run in the LPGA Malaysia.
Kelly, who will turn 17 on Wednesday, finished in 32nd spot after posting a three-day total of 216 to be the Malaysian best finisher in the tournament.
“I will head to Guangzhou for the Asiad after this, followed by the Greg Norman Junior Masters in Australia (December). What will be my target in Guangzhou? To get a medal, of course,” said a confident Kelly.
Kelly carded a one-over 72 in the final round yesterday with par on eight of her first nine holes. But her nerves got the better of her on the ninth and she sank a double bogey.
Top of the pack: Winner Kang Jimin (centre) posing for the camera together with runner-up Julie Inkster (right) and Malaysia’s best finisher Kelly Tan. “I was a bit nervous, it was a bit tricky and I double bogeyed. Later on the 10th, I told myself to do the same thing like the I did on the previous day. I didn’t change much to my game and I managed a couple of birdies afterward,” she said.
Kelly was a figure of consistency in the tournament, having shot 71 and 73 in the first two rounds. However, she felt that she could have done better given the great condition at the course.
“I learned a lot from the pros during the tournament. They stayed cool even after making mistakes and I will take that aspect into my game,” she said.
“I will work on my drive, too, because I couldn’t get a lot of distance right now, maybe because I lack the strength.
“Definitely that will be one of the key areas that I have to work on more because all the other girls here hit longer than me.”
As an amateur, Kelly is not eligible to take home the prize money of about US$12,000 for sharing 32nd spot with eight others unless she declares herself turning pro on the same day.
But despite the lure of the handsome prize money, Kelly said that she was not ready yet to turn professional.
“Not so soon. At least not until I’m hitting 62 consistently on the course. I think my game will tell me when I can turn pro,” she said.
Kelly, who will turn 17 on Wednesday, finished in 32nd spot after posting a three-day total of 216 to be the Malaysian best finisher in the tournament.
“I will head to Guangzhou for the Asiad after this, followed by the Greg Norman Junior Masters in Australia (December). What will be my target in Guangzhou? To get a medal, of course,” said a confident Kelly.
Kelly carded a one-over 72 in the final round yesterday with par on eight of her first nine holes. But her nerves got the better of her on the ninth and she sank a double bogey.
Top of the pack: Winner Kang Jimin (centre) posing for the camera together with runner-up Julie Inkster (right) and Malaysia’s best finisher Kelly Tan. Kelly was a figure of consistency in the tournament, having shot 71 and 73 in the first two rounds. However, she felt that she could have done better given the great condition at the course.
“I learned a lot from the pros during the tournament. They stayed cool even after making mistakes and I will take that aspect into my game,” she said.
“I will work on my drive, too, because I couldn’t get a lot of distance right now, maybe because I lack the strength.
“Definitely that will be one of the key areas that I have to work on more because all the other girls here hit longer than me.”
As an amateur, Kelly is not eligible to take home the prize money of about US$12,000 for sharing 32nd spot with eight others unless she declares herself turning pro on the same day.
But despite the lure of the handsome prize money, Kelly said that she was not ready yet to turn professional.
“Not so soon. At least not until I’m hitting 62 consistently on the course. I think my game will tell me when I can turn pro,” she said.
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