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Hong Kong golfing star Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching has sealed qualification for the Rio Olympics, where she will take on the world’s best players.
The 22-year-old University of Southern California student was confirmed as finishing in 56th place in the qualification rankings, with the top 60 going to Rio for the event, which takes place from 17-20 August.
“Making it to the Olympics is a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I couldn’t be happier in the knowledge that I’m going to be an Olympic athlete, playing golf for Hong Kong against the world’s greatest players in front of a huge global audience,” said Chan , who started out in the game as an six-year-old at the Tuen Mun public driving range.
“Qualifying for Rio is a huge personal achievement for me, but it’s also an achievement for golf in Hong Kong,” continued Chan, who is one of only three amateurs that are eligible for the Olympics.
“The support I’ve received from the Hong Kong Golf Association, in addition to all the clubs and other golf facilities in Hong Kong has been simply amazing and I can’t thank them enough for helping me to reach this stage.
“My goal is to represent Hong Kong to the very best of my ability.”
It’s the first time golf has been included in the Games since 1904, and though several of the top men’s players have pulled out, all of the leading women are set to be involved.
And as an amateur player who doesn’t compete on any of the main tours, Chan’s qualification is all the more remarkable, as she played in far fewer ranking tournaments than rivals.
She shot into the reckoning after two special weeks in June, when she finished tied fourth at a China LPGA Tour event in Jiangsu and then brilliantly won the second edition of the Hong Kong Ladies Open at Fanling following a play-off.
(SCMP)
