Kelly plots her journey to rio
Malaysia’s top-ranked women’s player keeps her feet on the ground and her targets in sight
WITH an eye on the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this August, Malaysia’s top-ranked women’s player Kelly Tan has done well to play herself into the reckoning while maintaining due focus on the US LPGA Tour itself.
In this email interview with The Star, Kelly shares some insights into her season thus far and touches on the goals she set out before the campaign got underway.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
Q: How would you describe your season so far?
A: I have had a really great start to my season. I knew it would be very important to garner some success early because of the Olympics. Our schedule is very busy in the middle of the year and I wanted to make sure that starting strong would take some of the pressure off leading up to the Olympics.
Q: Before the start of the year, did you set yourself any particular goals, and if so, what were they?
A: My biggest goal this year is to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics and so I needed to start strong and maintain my position leading up to July to represent Malaysia. I also would like to qualify in the top-60 on the LPGA money list to get into the Asian events.
Q: What has been the most positive thing of your campaign this year?
A: The most positive thing this year is the team I have surrounded myself with, from my sponsors right down to my family. It has been a blessing to have great coaches and support from everyone that is part of my team. It can be very difficult and stressful at times and just knowing I have the support of my team provides me with a strong foundation.
Q: Malaysians will be hoping to see you at the LPGA Sime Darby again this season. Are you making special preparations for that by any chance?
A: I intend to carry out my regular training in preparation for the LPGA. However, this tournament is very special to me as it’s the only one in my country so there is extra incentive and motivation to play well.
Q: A highlight of the calendar this year is the Olympic Games (presently you are in the top-40 and qualified for Rio, as things stand), you must be looking forward to that?
A: Exactly, I am really excited about this opportunity to represent my country on a global stage and I think it hasn’t even sunk in as I am just staying focused on playing well. This will be such an honour and a great experience for my family and me. I can’t even comprehend the thought right now of being an Olympian and respresenting my country. It will be a dream come true.
Q: Would you do anything different in your preparations for it, say play the course before the Games start?
A: I am planning to go a week earlier to play a few practice rounds but due to our tight schedule on the LPGA, we don’t have any extra weeks off and the organisers stipulate how many days we get to practise. I am excited as I am planning to stay for the closing ceremony with my team, mom and dad. This should be good fun.
Q: When are you back in Kuala Lumpur next?
A: I am planning on coming back to KL in late September depending on the schedule and where I am on the money list. Once the fall schedule in Asia is set I will know the exact dates, but hopefully I will be home for a couple of weeks before the tournament in Kuala Lumpur. Our off-season is so short and so it will be great if I can be home for a few extra weeks.