Kelly Tan set a new benchmark for Malaysian golf with a joint 13th finish in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship yesterday, the best performance by a Malaysian across both genders in a Major championship.
The in-form Malaysian ladies No 1 closed her campaign at the testing par-70 Aronimink Golf Club with a round of 71 for a total of one-over-par 281 (67-71-72-71). The third Major of the LPGA’s abbreviated 2020 season was won by Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who closed with a stunning 63 to finish on 14-under-par and claim her first Major title by five shots over compatriot Inbee Park.
“I’ve been playing so well recently and it is really rewarding to see the results in a Major championship; especially on a tough course like Aronimink! My game is definitely trending towards the right direction,” said Kelly, who turns 27 on October 26.
The previous best Major performance by a Malaysian was T18 by Lim Siew Ai in the same event in 2007, when it was known as the McDonald’s LPGA Championship.
After a one-week break, Kelly’s next tournament is the LPGA Drive On Championship at the Great Waters Course in Georgia on October 22-25.
Meanwhile , Malaysian men’s No 1 Gavin Green soldiered through the pain of a wrist injury to card a closing 76 in the BMW PGA Championship, placing him in T48 position on even-par (67-71-74-76) at Wentworth Golf Club in England. England’s Tyrrell Hatton won the Rolex Series event with a 19-under-par total, four shots head of Victor Perez of France. Gavin has struggled in the last year or so with a persistent injury to his left wrist.
“I’m really disappointed but the injury just acted up at the wrong time. It started on Saturday and got really bad during the last round,” said Gavin, adding that he will be getting an MRI done on Monday to see what needs to be done.
Gavin is slated to play in this week’s Scottish Championship at Fairmont St Andrews.
