Malaysian ladies No 1 Kelly Tan is focusing her energy on the LPGA’s final stretch of three events in December, opting out of this week’s Pelican Women’s Championship in Florida.
Well-placed in 36th spot on the LPGA’s season-long Race To CME Globe after 12 events, Kelly is working on fine-tuning her game as she gears up for the three-event December finale – the US$1.75 million Volunteers of America Classic (Old American Golf Club, Dallas, Texas / Dec 3-6), the US$5.5 million US Women’s Open (Champions Golf Club, Houston, Texas / Dec 10-13) and the US$3 million CME Group Tour Championship (Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida / Dec 17-20).
“I just want to be really well prepared for the last three events, which include the US Women’s Open and the CME Group Tour Championship,” said Kelly, who is already in Dallas.
The 27-year-old is particularly pumped up for what will be her 16th Major appearance at the US Women’s Open, originally scheduled for June but moved to its current date in a revamped and abbreviated LPGA schedule. To account for reduced daylight in December, the first two rounds will be played over both courses at Champions Golf Club, Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit, with the former hosting rounds 3 and 4.
Kelly noted that she aims to get in a few rounds at Champions Golf Club before tournament week. “The US Women’s Open is being played on two courses and I feel like I won’t get enough looks during the week of the tournament. I just don’t want to rush during the week to get all my practice rounds in,” she said.
Kelly’s form has been excellent since the LPGA Tour resumed in late July after a five-month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Her season has been highlighted by consistency and a number of strong performances, including a T13 finish in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last month which is the best-ever finish by a Malaysian of either gender in a Major.
