Golf: Sports School's Amanda Tan, 14, is youngest to play HSBC Women's Champions

Singapore golfer Amanda Tan made history on Tuesday by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the HSBC Women's Champions competition. -- ST FILE PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG
Singapore golfer Amanda Tan made history on Tuesday by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the HSBC Women's Champions competition. -- ST FILE PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

SINGAPORE golfer Amanda Tan made history on Tuesday by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the HSBC Women's Champions competition.

The 14-year-old Singapore Sports School student triumphed over 11 other local golfers to win the Host Country Qualifying Tournament at Sentosa Golf Club.

"This is unbelievable, I'm truly lost for words to be getting the chance to play alongside the world's top golfers," said the bespectacled youngster, who plays to a +1 handicap.

Amanda's two-day total of 13-over 157 (78, 79) on the par-72 Serapong course was one shot better off than Jen Goh, 18.

She will fly Singapore's flag at the Feb 27-March 2 event, which carries a prize purse of US$1.4 million (S$1.75 million).

Besides Kiwi sensation Lydia Ko, the "Big Three" - South Korean No. 1 Park In Bee, Norway's Suzann Pettersen (No. 2) and reigning champion Stacy Lewis (No. 3) from the United States - are also set to feature.

Amanda, who lists Ko, 16, as her favourite player, said: "My job now is to prove that I deserve my place and put on a good showing for Singapore fans."

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