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Tokyo Olympics: Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching reveals she contracted Covid-19 ahead of Games, finishes strong in final round

  • The LPGA Tour player ‘hopes to stand on top of the Olympic podium’ one day like Hong Kong’s five medal winners
  • Chan finishes the Games at six-over and in a tie for 50th after making adjustments to irons – ‘it was a good lesson to learn’

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Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching says she has learned more lessons after competing in her second Olympics. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong golfer Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching has an important phone call to make to her parents after completing her Olympic Games campaign on Saturday – to tell them she had Covid-19 earlier in the year.

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“I haven’t FaceTimed them yet because there’s a lot going on in the Olympic Village. Actually, my sister already knew I had Covid-19. I hadn’t told my mum and dad because they would be really scared if they found out. I hope to call them and tell them not to worry,” said the 27-year-old Chan after finishing tied for 50th in the women’s individual event at a typhoon-circling Kasumigaseki Country Club.

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It is understood she previously told reporters she likely contracted Covid-19 from her coach, who tested positive earlier in the year.

A fully recovered Chan finished with a solid one-under-par in the final round to finish at an overall six-over par. She played her best round of the Games the previous day, with a two-under par 69 and attributing the improvements to changing “the loft and lie angle” on her irons.

“My performance improved the last two days because we made some minor adjustments, having discussed with my caddie. We realised there was a problem and addressed it. I’m glad to have shown improvements these last two days, but disappointed that I was not good enough in the first two. I hope to bring this experience into future competitions,” said Chan, who finished 37th as an amateur in the Rio 2016 Games five years ago.

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Tiffany Chan now returns to the LPGA Tour after her second Olympic appearance. Photo: Getty Images
Tiffany Chan now returns to the LPGA Tour after her second Olympic appearance. Photo: Getty Images
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