Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3177952/hong-kong-golfer-tiffany-chan-tsz-ching-confirmed-us-womens-open-after
Sport/ Golf

Hong Kong golfer Tiffany Chan confirmed for US Women’s Open after qualifying in Hawaii

  • While reaching the US Open was one of her goals for the year, Chan said her main focus was on regaining full status on the LPGA Tour
  • ‘I felt pretty confident going into the week,’ the 28-year-old said. ‘My game has been continuously trending in the right direction, it was nice to see good results’
Tiffany Chan plays her shot from the fourth tee on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Getty Images

Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching’s said qualifying for next month’s US Women’s Open had given her confidence a boost, and she was feeling “more comfortable on and off the course”.

The Hong Kong golfer battled back from an opening round 74 at a qualifying event in Hawaii, shooting a four-under par 66 to finish level par for the day and seal her place at the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in North Carolina.

Chan said she was “very excited” to have reached the tournament for the second year running and would make sure she was well prepared for the occasion.

Hong Kong golfer Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching in round three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: SF & OC
Hong Kong golfer Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching in round three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: SF & OC

“It was great to finish strong in the second 18 holes,” Chan said. “Everyone would agree that US Women’s Open Qualifying is a grind, because it is a 36 holes tournament in a day. I did not start the day the way I wanted to, but I kept the momentum going since it’s a 10 hour-long round.”

During last year’s Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, the 28-year-old missed the cut after posting rounds of 74 and 76. Chan had her struggles too at the Tokyo Olympics in August, but said she was feeling good about her game.

A former Hong Kong Ladies Open champion, Chan said her main focus was on regaining full status on the LPGA Tour. Photo: Handout
A former Hong Kong Ladies Open champion, Chan said her main focus was on regaining full status on the LPGA Tour. Photo: Handout

“I felt pretty confident going into the week,” Chan said. “My game has been continuously trending in the right direction, it was nice to see good results.

“I definitely feel more comfortable on and off the course. I have put a lot of hard work to it and trying to figure out ways to perform better and it just takes time for it to grow. At the same time, process is always a bigger goal for me.”

While reaching the US Open was one of her goals for the year, Chan said the main focus was on regaining full status on the LPGA Tour.

Feeling she had got “better each week”, the Hongkonger said most of her time would be spent at Monday qualifying for the main tour, and playing in some events on the second-tier Epson Tour.

The next couple of weeks are likely to be busy ones for Chan. While the Open starts on June 2, she is expecting a sponsor’s invite to play in the LPGA Match Play tournament in Las Vegas at the end of this month.

“I still feel like I have a long way to go, but I am optimistic of the future,” Chan said. “I have learned so much this past year from my struggles and successes.

“I also have a good foundation of other pro’s here in Las Vegas and they have been great helping me learn more about the game and analyse where I can improve. I am excited for the future, I feel like I have a lot to prove.”