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Tokyo 2020: Hong Kong golfer Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching searching for ‘breakthrough’ performance at second Olympics

  • The city’s only Olympian golfer and LPGA Tour player has ‘matured a lot’ since Rio 2016 debut
  • ‘I hope I can have a breakthrough moment and make history in Tokyo,’ says Chan, citing her new mental coach

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Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching finished 37th as an amateur at the 2016 Rio Games. Photo: EFG
Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching believes she has developed the mental fortitude to compete for a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
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The 27-year-old is in the middle of her most successful professional season on the LPGA Tour and cited her new sports psychologist as a big contributor. The goal for the four-day event (August 4-7) extends beyond simply doing better than her Olympic debut as an amateur five years ago.
“I’m excited and honoured. Qualifying for the previous Olympics was an important achievement for Hong Kong golf. Qualifying as a pro was another small goal of mine,” said Chan, who sealed one of the 60 women’s tickets in June.

“I was fortunate enough not to be too affected [by the Covid-19 pandemic]. There were around six to seven months without training and competitions and that affected my development, but thankfully the Tour returned last July and our schedule has since been 80-90 per cent as usual. I hope I can have a breakthrough moment and make history in Tokyo, to get a good result and even get a medal.”

Tiffany Chan tees off during the second round of the LA Open at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles in April. Photo: AFP
Tiffany Chan tees off during the second round of the LA Open at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles in April. Photo: AFP
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Chan will train in her US base of Las Vegas before flying direct to Tokyo next week. Though she “really wanted to return” to Hong Kong, the city’s mandatory two-week quarantines were simply too restrictive as she tries to peak both physically and psychologically.

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