Hong Kong can finish in top three of Queen Sirikit Cup, says Tiffany Chan

Golden girl Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching believes Hong Kong have what it takes to record a best-ever "top-three finish" at the Queen Sirikit Cup at Hong Kong Golf Club this week.

Chan, who broke into the top 10 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking late last year, said a combination of local knowledge and current form means Hong Kong have the potential to secure a place on the podium.

"As the host nation there is lot of hope for the team," said the 21-year-old, who will be joined in the three-woman side by Isabella Leung Hei-nam and Kitty Tam Yik-ching for the event, which is also known as the Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship.

"The Koreans will probably start as the favourites, and Thailand has a strong side, too, but if everything comes together then a top-three finish is possible."

Chan, whose last appearance in the event was in 2013 when Hong Kong finished eighth, has every reason to be optimistic. Since moving to the US to attend junior college two years ago, the former Diocesan Girls' School student's game has flourished.

Victory at the World University Championship in Switzerland last June proved Chan could compete with the best young players in the world, and she heads to Fanling full of belief after successfully defending her NJCAA National Championship title with a sparkling display in Arizona last week.

"I'm a better player now - my short game and putting has improved since I've been in the States," said Chan, who will follow in the footsteps of LPGA players Nicole Castrale and Jennifer Rosales when she joins the traditionally strong University of Southern California golf team in the autumn. "I've got more tournament experience on my side and my confidence has grown a lot in the past 12 months."