(Photo cr: Amanda Tan)
Singapore Golf Association (SGA) professionals Amanda Tan and Koh Sock Hwee are hoping to shine in this week’s Women’s China Open against a new generation of young and rising stars from the Middle Kingdom.
The tournament, which starts at the Enhance Anting Golf Club in Shanghai on Friday, is the flagship event on the CLPG Tour and has drawn a strong field that includes titleholder Ji Yuai, 2023 champion Angelina Ye Lei, and many of the country’s amateur and young stars and aspiring professionals from Southeast Asia.
Tan, 26, and Koh, 35, have been regulars on the China circuit for several years and say the rapid rise of youthful Chinese winners has pushed them to raise their own game. The success of countrywomen Shannon Tan, who claimed a third career win on the Ladies European Tour on Sunday, is also an inspiration.
“There are a lot of very young players now, some 10 years younger than I am,” said Amanda, who in 2017 became the first Singaporean to win on the CLPG Tour. “It’s allowed me to keep going and to keep trying new things to improve. The Tour is special to me because it’s where I got my first win, and the level of competition has changed a lot since I started out.”
Koh, who is chasing her maiden victory in China, echoed her compatriot’s sentiments. “Over the years, the standard has gone up. You see newer and younger blood, and that in itself is motivation to keep up and stay relevant,” she said.
“This year, a lot of events have been won by amateurs. Watching them play without fear reminds me of how I used to be. I’m not the youngest anymore, but as long as I’m fit and healthy, I’ll keep competing.”
A recent top-10 finish has boosted Koh’s confidence heading into this week’s Women’s China Open, which was inaugurated in 2006 and has celebrated great champions such as Korea’s Jiyai Shin, Kim Hyo-joo and Park Sung-hyun. Shin and Park are former world No. 1s while Kim is a major winner.
“I feel I haven’t played my best golf yet, so that motivates me to wake up every day, go out to grind, and to try and be better. As cliché as it sounds, I’m looking to be better one percent every day, perform with repetition and be the best that I can be,” she said.
For Amanda and Koh, their journey on the CLPG Tour remain part of a longer pathway towards their LPGA Tour dreams.
“There are different routes, like the Epson Tour or LPGA Qualifying School, but playing in China keeps me competitive throughout the year,” said Amanda, who has made six cuts on the CLPG Tour from as many starts this season.
“When the opportunity comes, hopefully I’ll be ready to take it. This season has been good — my game and confidence are coming back. I’m just trying to put everything together.”
Both players see the Women’s China Open as an important platform not just for themselves but for the region’s aspiring golfers. “It’s a big event that attracts some top Chinese names,” said Koh. “The Tour is growing, and the tie-up with Korea, where the Order of Merit winner gets to play on the KLPGA, is a good opportunity.”
While fellow Singaporean Shannon Tan has made waves on the Ladies European Tour – winning three times, including the Women’s Indian Open last weekend and representing the country at the Paris Olympic Games last summer – Amanda and Koh remain driven to make their own breakthroughs.
“Having someone like Shannon play in the Olympics and winning on the Ladies European Tour show us that it is possible. It’s tough to manage financially and chase the dream of trying to get to the LPGA Tour,” said Amanda.