Shannon Tan set to become Singapore’s first female golfer to play in a Major

SINGAPORE – Six years ago, Shannon Tan was teeing off at the Eden Course in St Andrews among a Junior British Open field comprising some of golf’s most promising young talents such as Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul and American Rose Zhang.

Since then, all three of them have fulfilled their potential in their own ways. A 19-year-old Atthaya rose to the top of the world rankings in 2022, while Zhang has won twice on the LPGA Tour since turning professional in 2023.

Tan, meanwhile, has blazed her own trail. She won the Singapore Ladies Masters as an amateur in 2023 before becoming the first Singaporean golfer to win on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Republic’s first female golfer to earn a spot at the Olympics.

The 20-year-old will soon be in the company of golf’s best, including Atthaya and Zhang, once again after qualifying for two Majors – the July 11-14 Evian Championship and the Aug 22-25 British Women’s Open.

In doing so, Tan will become Singapore’s first female golfer to play at a Major.

She said: “The Majors are the pinnacle of our sport, and as such it is a real honour, not to mention a thrill, to compete in a Major tournament. The Majors are elevated events, markers in each season that can almost define players, and it is such a privilege to be in the mix and to compete in prestigious, heritage tournaments like these.”

She earned her spot in the Evian Championship as one of the top 12 golfers on the LET’s Order of Merit – she sits sixth on the list – and sealed her place in the Women’s Open as one of the LET’s winners this season.

The Evian Championship and the Women’s Open are the two Majors that are co-sanctioned by the LET and the LPGA Tour.

When she makes her Major debut at the Evian Resort Golf Club in July, the world No. 181 will join a select group of Singaporeans who have played at golf’s most prestigious tournaments.

In June, Hiroshi Tai became the first Singaporean to play in a Major since 2012 after he made his maiden appearance at the US Open.

The Georgia Institute of Technology sophomore had earned his spot by winning a historic individual title at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship in May, which also qualified him for the 2025 Masters.

Before him, Mardan Mamat featured at the 1997, 2005 and 2012 British Opens, while Lam Chih Bing remains the only Singaporean to have made the cut at a Major after placing 83rd in a 156-strong field at the 2008 British Open.

Tan is looking forward to the challenge, highlighting that the environment at these events often brings out the best in top players around the world.

She cited Annika Sorenstam, who won 10 Major titles, and five-time Major champion Pak Se-ri as examples of legends who have consistently proven themselves on golf’s biggest stage.

Tan said: “It is the heritage and the tradition. Some incredible players – era-defining players – have won these tournaments throughout the years.

“To compete in a Major, to try and raise my game even more, will be a real challenge and great opportunity to learn from the best in the world.”

Tan also recalled watching the first two rounds of the 2018 British Open at Carnoustie Golf Links and observing up close how then-world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth managed their games in extremely challenging conditions.

Now, she is relishing the chance to test herself on some of golf’s most hallowed grounds.

On what she is most excited about, Tan said: “Just to be there, soaking up the tradition and feeling the vibe.

“The players and the fans all feel it, and I think it will be a real thrill to just get there at the start of tournament week, and then try to apply my normal game to the situation.”

Singapore Golf Association president Tan Chong Huat believes Tan and Tai’s feats bode well for the future of the sport here.

He said: “We are very encouraged to know their achievements will continue to have a positive effect on the entire golf ecosystem in Singapore.”