Thailand’s Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, the current China Ladies Professional Golf Association (CLPGA) Order of Merit leader, is hopeful of extending her winning run at the inaugural Singapore Ladies Masters which tees off on Thursday.
Fresh from her maiden breakthrough at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Championship on the CLPGA in Shanghai last month, the 26-year-old Thai, who played regularly on the US LPGA Tour from 2017-2019, is ready to put up a performance befitting of her status as the merit leader.
“For this week, I want to do my best and if I’m able to control every single shot and play my best. If I give my 100 per cent, I’m confident I can win this tournament,” said Sherman.
Sherman’s bold title ambitions in the Lion City will be put to the test by a confident Shannon Tan from Singapore who also believes she can win on her home course at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club this week.
“I believe I can win. It’s possible if I stick to my game plan and do what I’m supposed to do,” said Shannon, a 19-year-old Texas Tech University undergraduate who finished joint fourth in the recent NCAA Division 1 regionals.
“This tournament is on home ground and I flew back from the United States about a week plus ago. Laguna has given me access to play on this course whenever I want to so that’s been great for my preparation.”
China’s Sun Jiaze is meanwhile looking to capture her third CLPGA title at their first tournament outside mainland China after enjoying two back-to-back wins on home soil last season.
Sun’s motivation to do well also comes from her friendship with Yin Ruoning, who became the second woman from China to win a major at the Women’s PGA Championship last month.
“Ruoning is a close friend of mine, we have played together since young and grew up together up till turning professional. She motivates me a lot based on what she has achieved, and I hope to emulate her one day.
“She also sets a good example to the younger generation and more and more young children in China will be inspired to pick up a club because of her,” said Sun.
Amanda Tan, who became the first Singaporean to earn a card for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Epson Tour – the second tier of the women’s professional circuit in the United States, is bracing herself for a stiff challenge.
“I had a few rounds prior to this week, the last time I played this course was in 2019 during my junior days. So, getting to see the course setup is very different.
“It’s golf, the ball is still round and even with home advantage it won’t be easy. Knowing the course definitely helps and there are probably some advantages here and there but at the end of the day, I’m just going to give it my best and you never know what’s going to happen,” said Amanda.
The Singapore Ladies Masters is a 54-hole stroke-play format that features an international field of 132 players from 14 countries and regions, battling for the total prize purse of US$100,000.
It is the fifth leg of the 2023 CLPGA season after stops in Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong. It is sponsored by Trust Golf, Marina Bay Sands, Criti Rora, CarTimes Group and adidas and supported by key partner host venue Laguna National Golf Resort Club, Official Hotel Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore.
