After breakthrough year on the LET, Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan gunning for a spot on the LPGA

SINGAPORE – An eye-opening maiden professional season for Shannon Tan has yielded many lessons, but most importantly, it has cemented her belief that she can hold her own against the best golfers on the global stage.

Over the past 10 months on the Ladies European Tour (LET), the 20-year-old has played over 20 events in about 16 different countries, including at major tournaments such as the Paris Olympics, Evian Championship and Women’s British Open.

While it has not been all smooth sailing, the experience has strengthened her resolve as she embarks on achieving her dream of playing on the prestigious LPGA Tour.

Said Tan: “(The season) has shown me that I can compete with the world’s best, which gives me a huge confidence boost.

“Knowing that I’m on the right track and seeing my hard work pay off has only fuelled my golfing ambitions further.”

After wrapping up her LET season with a tied-16th finish at the Andalucia Open de Espana on Dec 1, Tan will turn her sights to the final qualifying tournament of the LPGA Q-Series at Magnolia Grove Golf Club from Dec 5 to 9.

Tan, who qualified for the Alabama event by finishing sixth on LET’s Order of Merit, will be among the field of 99 golfers who will play four rounds – two each on Magnolia Grove’s Crossings and Falls courses.

Those who make the cut after that will play another round to decide the top 25 players and ties who will earn LPGA Tour cards for 2025.

Looking ahead to the LPGA Q-Series, Tan said: “It would mean so much to me (to earn an LPGA card), as playing on the LPGA is a major career goal and something I have dreamt of since young.

“That said, my focus will be on taking one shot at a time, staying focused like I do at any other golf event. I believe Q-Series will be a good learning experience for me as well.”

A dream start on the LET that saw her win the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in February teed off an impressive year for Tan, who went on to become the first Singaporean golfer to compete at the Olympics in August. She ended 40th.

A few weeks later, she became just the second Singaporean to make the cut at a Major when she achieved the feat at the Women’s British Open at St Andrews.

“It’s been a big year of learning and growth on a personal and professional level as I have been learning to adjust to the demands of tour life,” said Tan, who finished in the top-10 four more times this season.

“It has been challenging but equally rewarding, and I am excited for the next season.”

While the transition to professional golf appeared seamless for Tan, she highlighted that it has been a continuous process of adjusting to new experiences.

With the first season under her belt, she will be looking to better manage her playing schedule in the new campaign, as it will be unrealistic to play too many events, especially with tournaments held in different countries and time zones.

Playing in different countries and courses has also helped Tan to progress and add new shots to her arsenal, like hitting low shots during the British Open in Scotland, where there are drastic changes in the weather and wind conditions throughout the day.

Said Tan: “I’ve realised how important adaptability is, whether it’s adjusting to different course conditions, dealing with travel fatigue, or maintaining focus during long stretches of competition.

“It’s all about learning to adapt to the environment and trying to perform consistently.”

It is with that in mind that she went to Alabama to check out the course a few weeks ago.

She said: “I have been sticking to my usual routine and plan on approaching it like any other Tour event.

“My focus is on controlling the controllables and staying present – this mindset has helped me so far, so I will be continuing to do so at the Q-Series this week.”