Golf: S'pore's Koh Sock Hwee earns third appearance at HSBC Women's Champions

Koh Sock Hwee putting on day one of the HSBC Women’s Champions local qualifier at the Sentosa Golf Club on Jan 13, 2016. PHOTO: HSBC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS 2016

SINGAPORE - Golfer Koh Sock Hwee will make a record third appearance at the HSBC Women's Champions in March after she won the local qualifying tournament on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Singaporean, who held a four-stroke overnight lead, closed with a six-over 78 to finish on 152 total at the two-day event at the Sentosa Golf Club (SGC) to earn the coveted slot at the US$1.5 million (S$2.15 million) LPGA Tour invitational competition.

She said: "I was so nervous today even though I had a big lead. I really wanted to get another opportunity to test myself against some of the best female players in the world."

Compatriot Amanda Tan, 16, shot a 76 and was second on 154 in the 11-women field at the Serapong Course.

Koh, a 2015 SEA Games individual bronze medallist, played in the main event in 2012 and last year. Compatriots Joey Poh (2009, 2010) and Christabel Goh (2011, 2013) are the only local golfers with multiple appearances at the HSBC Women's Champions.

This year's tournament will again see an elite 63-woman field and will feature the likes of world No. 1 Lydia Ko and defending champion and second-ranked Park In Bee.

Besides the world-class sporting action, the March 3-6 event will also include an outdoor concert at the SGC driving range by British pop group Take That after the third round on Saturday.

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