LPGA Match-Play: Tiffany Chan makes strong start in Las Vegas, beats Atthaya Thitikul, ‘good friend’ Alison Lee next up
- Hong Kong golfer makes most of home advantage and sponsor’s invite to win first match 3&2
- Chan says she and Lee practise together regularly and ‘were sad’ when they were drawn together
Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching shook off her underdog tag and made the most of home advantage and a sponsor’s invite at the LPGA Match-Play in Las Vegas, beating second-seeded Thai Atthaya Thitikul in her first game.
Ranked 63rd out of 64 players for the tournament at Shadow Creek, the Hong Kong golfer, who lives 30 minutes from the course, jumped out to a fast start on Wednesday (local time) and was two-up after four holes.
A run of three consecutive birdies to close the front nine took Chan to five-up, and a sixth at 11 further extended the lead. Atthaya finally got into the game on 12, winning four consecutive holes until a bogey at the par-5 16th ended her comeback and handed Chan a 3&2 win.
Afterwards, Chan revealed that MGM International Resorts, which owns Shadow Creek, allowed some professionals who live in the area to practise at a course she called a “paradise for golfers”.
“I really appreciate the chance that they let us do it,” Chan said. “Like you really got to know where to finish the ball; how to approach to the green is super important.
“I managed to make some putts, hit some really close ones to get me up, so hopefully I can carry the momentum to the next couple days.”
While Chan admitted to feeling nerves on the first hole and a certain level of intimidation facing “a great player”, her next match will be difficult for other reasons.
