While obviously disappointed at missing the cut in the US Women’s Open, Kelly Tan has resolved to put it behind her and focus on the upcoming LPGA Tour season-ender.
The Malaysian No 1 struggled with her ball-striking at Champions Golf Club in Houston, carding consecutive 75s to miss out on the weekend by five shots. She had started her campaign on the Cypress Creek course and played her second 18 on the Jackrabbit, with both 18s used for the first two rounds to account for reduced daylight.
“Coming into this week, I thought if I can figure out my speed and just make sure my lag putting is good, I will play pretty well. I have been playing really well. Unfortunately, my ball-striking let me down this week, a little tighter fairways,” said Kelly, who was making her 16th Major start.
“I guess I just have to move on and just know that I’m striking the ball great and putting great.”
Kelly paid tribute to the venue and the United States Golf Association (USGA) for setting up a great challenge for the players in the 75th edition of the oldest Major in women’s golf.
“The golf course set-up is amazing. I feel like the members should be really proud of the course. I played here probably a month before the
tournament and they definitely prepped up the course really well.
“I think the USGA did a fabulous job. The greens are running really fast and I look forward to watching more US Open this weekend. I think the girls are in for a treat,” noted the 27-year-old.
Hinako Shibuno of Japan leads at the halfway stage on seven-under-par, three shots ahead of Swedish amateur sensation Linn Grant. The final 36 holes are being played on the Cypress Creek course.
Kelly noted that she will try and adjust her schedule to get to Naples, Florida, a day earlier and get in more practice time at Tiburon Golf Club, venue for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
“I’ve never seen the golf course but heard a lot of great stuff about it. It’s the Tour Championship, I’m excited for the week and I look forward to playing Tiburon,” she said.
The Tour Championship will bring the curtain down on what has been a great comeback year for Kelly after two seasons playing mainly on the second-tier Symetra Tour. She is currently in 36th place on the LPGA Tour’s season-long Race To CME Globe standings but is projected to drop to 40th after the conclusion of the US Women’s Open. In October, Kelly registered the best ever finish by a Malaysian in a Major with a T13 performance a the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
