2024 ST Athlete of the Year nominee: Shannon Tan

The Straits Times is celebrating outstanding Singaporeans selected for the 2024 ST Athlete of the Year award, backed by 100Plus. To get to know our athletes better, we asked them about their love for their sport, interesting experiences and who has influenced them. This is what golfer Shannon Tan told Kimberly Kwek.

Q: How has your love for golf changed?

When I first started, I just loved hitting balls and being out on the course. It was something I always looked forward to, especially since it was something my dad and I did together.

Now, I still love the game, but in a different way – while I still enjoy going to the range and hitting balls, I also enjoy the constant challenge and the process of getting better. Golf is a sport where you never stop learning, and that’s what keeps it exciting for me.

Q: What is the biggest way your life has changed since you turned professional?

Turning pro has been a significant shift from my amateur and college golf days. I’m now playing in many more tournaments – 29 events in 2024 compared to about 15 a year as an amateur.

Even on weeks when I’m not competing, I’m practising six to eight hours a day.

I also have to manage my own travel, work with sponsors and do media.

Another big change is pausing my studies, which was a tough decision, but Texas Tech has allowed me to take a leave of absence and held my credits, so I can always go back.

Overall, I’m living and breathing golf every day and, while it’s demanding, I love it because it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.

Q: What has been your most interesting experience on tour so far?

That’s a tough one! If we’re talking about challenging experiences, it would probably be the delayed flights and tough travel days – those can be exhausting.

But on the positive side, one of the most memorable moments was playing golf with my role models.

It’s surreal to share the course with players I’ve looked up to for years.

Also, not to forget the many cool golf courses we play in different countries – there were literally giraffes crossing the fairways in Kenya (at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open) which held up play for a bit on the final day.

Q: Of the countries you travelled to while on tour, which had the best food?

Definitely China! The food there was incredible in Shenzhen – I loved Chagee (bubble tea chain), hotpot and beef la mian.

South Korea was a close second. Korean barbecue and bingsu were amazing.

Exploring different cuisines is one of the best parts of travelling for tournaments.  

Q: Why is it important to you to use your platform to inspire junior golfers?

Inspiring junior golfers is something I care deeply about because I was once in their shoes. I remember how star-struck I felt when I saw professional golfers up close or got a signed ball from them – it made my day!

Knowing how much those small interactions meant to me, I want to give back and be that source of inspiration for the next generation.

It’s a way of paying forward the encouragement I received from the professionals who came before me. I’ve also had moments where junior golfers have told me how much I’ve inspired them, and that’s incredibly rewarding – it reminds me why I do what I do.

Q: Who would you consider the most influential figure(s) in your golf career so far?

My parents – my dad introduced me to golf when I was five and was the one who took the time to send me to training and tournaments, helping me build the fundamentals.

Both my parents made huge sacrifices, like moving to Australia to give me better opportunities for training and competition. Their support and belief in me have been unwavering.

Q: ⁠If you could play a round of golf with any two golfers, who would you pick and why?

I would say Georgia Hall and Lydia Ko. Georgia is my role model – I admire her mentality, especially in tough conditions. She won the Women’s British Open in 2018 in challenging weather, and I remember her saying she embraced the conditions and shot one of the best rounds.

I was there when Lydia completed her Olympic medal collection and won the British Open in 2024; it is simply incredible to see someone only a few years older (27) qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Witnessing those moments was inspiring, and I’d love to learn from both of them.

Achievements in 2024: