(Chen Xingtong and her father, Mr. Chen Fan)
Singapore Golf Association (SGA) national squad member Chen Xingtong made her debut at the HSBC Women’s World Championship with an opening four-over-par 76. The result placed her in a share of 53rd place that includes China’s Lin Xiyu, Japan’s Mone Inami and former world no. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand.
In her first round reflections blog, Chen shares her thoughts about her surreal week including meeting living legend Annika Sorentam at the Sentosa Golf Club so far.
“It was unreal on the first tee because I was so nervous. It didn’t seem like it but when I was on the first green, the 10th green, my hands were shaking over the putt.
Overall, I didn’t have a good first nine but after the first nine, I was able to calm myself down and recover a bit. It’s a learning experience. I tried to calm myself down by saying things like these are the professionals. I don’t have anything to stress about because I’m still an amateur.
The week has been pretty unreal. I couldn’t believe that so many people just came out and watched me. I’m grateful for everyone that came out. I had the same score as Lydia.
Obviously, they didn’t play well but these are small wins for me. I’m just going to stick to my game plan and try not to change too much. Don’t be too stressed about it.
At the clinic yesterday, Annika Sorenstam was telling me to stick to my process and trust, and also have fun on the course, which I think I managed to do on the last few holes. Annika’s just so calm about everything.
It’s unreal, just being with a living legend. I was so scared to meet her yesterday, I felt like today wasn’t that bad. I calmed down a bit more and managed to focus on my game instead of being so starstruck by everyone around me.
There are always things to improve on. But I think all things considered, especially looking at my first nine holes, I think it’s a great result.”