LPGA Match-Play: Tiffany Chan looks ahead to American Amy Olson after second big win at Shadow Creek
- Hong Kong’s Chan brushes aside challenging weather to seal second solid win of tournament
- After downing American Alison Lee, she has her sights set on Olson in Friday’s final round-robin match
Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching has made it two wins from two at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play, beating American Alison Lee 4&3 in hot and windy conditions at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
Chan took control of the match against Lee in the middle stages with three straight birdies from the sixth to the eighth to earn the pair a “match of the day” title. The 28-year-old had her reservations about facing her good friend Lee, but she soldiered on for the win.
“We were kind of upset because we didn’t want to face each other, because then we can’t advance together. But we had fun out there,” Chan said.
“I kind of feel bad. She’s playing well, too, but out there you really just try to make some putts. So I think we don’t feel bad for each other, but it was a good battle. At the end of the day we’re still going to hang out, have dinner, eat again.”
“We are really trying to save pars and hopefully birdie putts drop out there, so not trying to give myself too much pressure. Game plan worked again, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Chan said.
“I’m not trying to change anything. Every match is going to be tough, so I just have to keep my composure and have fun tomorrow.
“I’m not going to step off the pedal. Obviously it depends on how the weather is tomorrow. You never know if it’s going to be windy or hotter. Main thing [is] I’m just grateful to be out here.”
Chan continues to defy the fact that she came into the tournament as the 63rd ranked of the 64 players gathered – and is finding her touch at the right time with her place assured at Southern Pines in North Carolina for the US Women’s Open next week after she won through qualifying.
“My main goal is to have fun out here. It’s a bonus having the sponsor invite from MGM to be out here competing with the best in the world, so no matter what happens tomorrow, same game plan.”
In a day of upsets, American Brittany Altomare rallied to beat top-seeded Minjee Lee 2&1. Lee, who arrived in Nevada fresh off a victory in the Founders Cup, was three up through seven holes, but couldn’t make a birdie on the back nine as Altomare, a US Solheim Cup player, roared back.
“I didn’t start off the way that I wanted to but, if I’ve learned anything from Solheim the last couple years, it’s you just can’t give up because you never know what’s going to happen in match play,” Altomare said.
The winners will advance to the elimination stages at the conclusion of round-robin play on Friday.
