Too little too late
Kelly finishes 34th after carding career best nine-hole 29
PETALING JAYA: Kelly Tan finally found her swing but it proved to be too late.
The golfer turned in her careerbest nine-hole score of 29 en route to firing a sizzling seven-under 64 to end her second Olympics campaign in a tie for 34th out of 60 golfers yesterday.
This result means she surpassed her previous result of 51st in Rio 2016.
Lying at joint 48th and starting the day on the back nine, Kelly showcased her eagerness to salvage a respectable round.
Her game came to life after carding a bogey on the seventh hole. She then took flight with eight birdies to record her best display so far after a series of below par performance in the first-three days.
The low round saw Kelly finish with a four-day total of two-under 282 – 15 shots behind winner and world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States.
“That was my best nine holes for sure, I’ve never shot a 29 in my professional career,” said Kelly.
“To be able to shoot a seven-under on the final round I think it’s something that I’ll never forget.
“I have been feeling pretty comfortable every day and I felt I could do that, it’s great that today the score finally reflected it.
“I know I didn’t get a medal due to the slow start, but I know I fought and played hard for the country and I’m really proud of the way I did which bettered my position from the last Olympics.”
The rousing performance should give Kelly a much needed lift before resuming her bid to keep her LPGA Tour playing status next month.
She is currently 144th in the Tour’s Official Money List and must finish inside the top 80 to secure a full card for next season.
However, her final flourish was bittersweet as she lamented the lack of support from the Malaysian contingent.
“It’s a bit disappointing that no one came to see me play. I thought I could have gotten a little bit more support,” she said.
“Their absence confirmed that golf is not important.”
The Olympic Council of Malaysia general manager Norhashimi Hussain, who is serving as the contingent’s chief liaison officer, refuted the claim.
“We had our officials at the course to watch both Gavin (Green) and Kelly in action,” he said and forwarded a video clip of their secretary general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib at the Kasumigaseki Country Club when Gavin was in action.