Shannon Tan is gearing up for her Olympic debut with inspiration from Scottie Scheffler’s approach of having fun. She is all set to represent Singapore as the first-ever Olympic golfer from her country in a 60-player field at Paris 2024.
While many athletes have set their eyes on winning medals, Tan is taking a different approach. She admires Scheffler’s goal of enjoying the game and plans to do the same. Winning a medal would be fantastic, but having fun and representing her country on the grand stage hold significant value for her.
The Olympics provide a unique opportunity for golf to gain popularity in Singapore, and Tan is aware of the attention her participation is attracting back home. She feels honored to represent her country and is grateful for the support she is receiving from friends, family, and fans.
Having attended the Opening Ceremony and interacted with fellow Singaporean athletes, Tan is fully immersed in the Olympic experience. While her parents are in France to support her, they won’t be present on the course during her games. Tan believes they are not her lucky charms on the field and prefers to maintain that tradition.
As a professional golfer who clinched her first Ladies European Tour title earlier this year, Tan’s journey to the Olympics is significant. Meeting Ludvig Åberg, a former Texas Tech student, at the event brought back college memories and motivated her to perform her best on the big stage.
Le Golf National, hosting a women’s professional event for the first time, presents unique challenges, especially with the rough terrain. Tan understands the course’s demands and aims to stay focused on fairways and greens to navigate through the competition successfully.
With a fun-filled approach and a determination to make her country proud, Tan is all geared up for her historic Olympic debut. The journey ahead is promising, and she hopes to create a memorable experience while showcasing her skills on the international platform.