Malaysia’s Kelly Tan is in a positive mood heading into the final round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, despite a disappointing third round 75 which saw her drop into T47 position on two-under-par.
Tan made a solid start and birdied the par-five second hole from two feet, moving to five-under-par overall after her first nine. However, she dropped three shots coming in at the par-73 Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
The 26-year-old Malaysian No 1 noted that she had a number of close shaves on the front nine where her birdie attempts narrowly missed or lipped out.
“On the first hole, my putt from 12 feet lipped out. I just missed on the low side on the third hole from 15 feet and lipped out again on the fourth from 12 feet. Then on the seventh I just missed on on the high side. I could have easily be four or five-under-par for the day after nine holes but unfortunately it didn’t go my way.” she said.
“There are so many positives going into tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to going out and making some birdies!”
Former World No 1 Inbee Park of Korea leads the tournament on 15-under-par, three shots ahead of compatriot Ayean Choi. The US$1.3 million ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open is co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour, Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) and Golf Australia.
Tan is back on the LPGA Tour after regaining full playing rights via last year’s Q-Series at Pinehurst. She played four full seasons on the LPGA Tour from 2014 but lost full playing rights following the 2017 season, competing mainly on the second-tier Symetra Tour in 2018 and 2019. The 26-year-old won the 2019 Florida’s Natural Charity Classic on the Symetra Tour for her first international professional title.
