Hong Kong golden girl Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching has confirmed her participation in the sixth edition of the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open.
LPGA Tour regular Chan, who memorably won the championship as an amateur in 2016, will headline a 108-player field in the US$150,000 tournament from February 28-March 1 over the venerable Old Course at Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC), a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Tiffany Chan will be aiming to reclaim the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open trophy that she won in 2016.
Title-sponsored by EFG Bank since 2017, the event is tri-sanctioned by the China LPGA Tour, Taiwan LPGA and Ladies Asian Golf Tour, and supported by the Hong Kong Professional Golfers’ Association and the Hong Kong Golf Association.
Describing the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open as one the highlights of her year, 26-year-old Chan, who enjoyed a successful 2019 LPGA Tour season to retain her playing privileges, said: “It’s always a thrill to play in the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open, a tournament that has given me so many happy memories.
“Playing at my home club in front of my family, friends and fans is something I truly cherish. I’m looking forward to returning home and challenging for the title.”
Chan’s victory at Fanling in 2016 was the springboard she needed to qualify for the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she put in an admirable performance, finishing 37th. Currently on course to make the Hong Kong Olympic team for Tokyo this summer, the University of Southern California graduate has been working hard in the off-season ahead of what could be her biggest year to date.
Chan, an EFG Global Sport Ambassador and Hong Kong Golf Club Ambassador, added: “I have been on the LPGA Tour for two full seasons and feel like I made a lot of progress in 2019. My focus now is on making the step up and qualifying for all the major events as well as the Olympics, where I think I can really contribute positively to the Hong Kong team.
“Winning the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open for a second time is certainly a big goal of mine and would set me up really well for the rest of the year.”
Chan will face a strong field at HKGC, with China’s Liu Yan returning to defend her title. Also confirmed to play are rising Chinese star Sui Xiang and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Tzu-chi, who last year became the first player to win three times on the TLPGA Tour in a single season.
It’s the fourth consecutive year of EFG’s title sponsorship of the only event in the SAR in which players can earn Rolex World Ranking points.
Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia Pacific, EFG Bank, said: “We are delighted to once again return as title sponsor. Together with the EFG Young Athletes Foundation, we hope to give young talented athletes every opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve their sporting dreams. The EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open has been a great platform for young local golfers to hone their skills against seasoned professionals in the region.
“We are looking forward to cheering on EFG Global Sport Ambassador Tiffany Chan, who was a beneficiary of the EFG Young Athletes Foundation. She is a great ambassador for us and for the sport of golf, and will continue to inspire others to follow in her foot steps to make professional golf their careers.”
William Doo Jr, HKGC Captain, said: “After the successful staging of the 61st edition of the Hong Kong Open this month, we’re delighted to be welcoming Tiffany, her fellow competitors and all the fans back to the Club in just a few short weeks.
“The EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open has grown to become one of the region’s standout tournaments, one that is dedicated to developing women’s golf in Hong Kong and beyond. The stage is set for a fantastic week of world-class action on our historic Old Course at Fanling.”
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