Feng firmly focused on future
China’s No 1 heading to US Women’s Open
It wasn’t a perfect weekend for Feng Shanshan on home soil — but it was positive enough to boost the Chinese No 1’s confidence ahead of the US Women’s Open, which opens on Thursday at Trump National in New Jersey.
The local star set the pace over the first two rounds of the Kumho Tire Ladies Open in Weihai, Shandong province, but a lackluster final round on Sunday cost her a chance at victory and left her tied for fourth.
Still, considering the 27-year-old failed to make the cut at the Women’s PGA Championship two weeks ago, Weihai marked a nice rebound.
China’s golf development will gain strong momentum if many people like me pull together to make it happen.”
Feng Shanshan
“It seems that every time at Weihai I have a good start but can’t hold a wire-to-wire lead,” said Feng, the world No 6 who finished runner-up in 2015 and last year.
“I think I tried my best on every shot. This course is similar to the courses for the US Women’s Open, which are usually a bit narrow, so it was a perfect chance for me to warm up for the major. I hope that I can putt better in New Jersey to make up for my misses here.”
South Korea’s Park Bo-mi won the tournament in a one- hole playoff against compatriot Lee Ji-hoo. Feng was the only Chinese to finish in the top 10.
“South Korea is really powerful in golf, especially in its cultivation of reserve talents. So many talented Korean golfers come out in succession that now I can barely find a familiar face that I met on the course three years ago,” said Feng. “China should take note of that and concentrate on training our next generation.”
A total of 12 Chinese golfers advanced to the final round at Weihai, more than those at all the previous tournaments on the Shandong course.
“This progress really lifts me and I am confident that golf is really growing in China,” said Feng. “Many of our junior golfers are showing skills comparable to foreign juniors. What they are lacking is ample tournament experience. I hope it will soon be possible for them to enter more tournaments abroad.”
The 2016 Olympic bronze medalist operates her own golf workshop and academy, providing free introduction to the sport.
“I would like to fuel China’s golf development as much as possible within my capacity, but as an individual, my contribution is limited in growing the whole golf sector,” Feng said.
“China’s golf development will gain strong momentum if many people like me pull together to make it happen. It’s time for us Chinese to flex our muscles on the course.”
Feng’s long-term plan is gearing up for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“I dream of winning gold in 2020,” she said. “After that, provided that my physical quality allows me to continue my professional career, I’ll keep playing.”