Two-shot victory over Amanda Tan in national qualifier sees Singapore No.2 ready to take on the world’s best when ‘Asia’s Major’ returns to the Lion City next month.

Sock Hwee Koh wins HSBC Women’s World Championship National Qualifying Tournament (Photo – IMG Singapore)

Sock Hwee Koh booked her place in Singapore’s marquee golf tournament for a record fourth time, following a thrilling victory in the HSBC Women’s World Championship National Qualifying Tournament at Sentosa Golf Club.

Playing at her home club, the 33-year old carded a second-round score of 75 to go with her first round 73, to claim an impressive two-shot win over Singapore No.1 Amanda Tan who shot rounds of 76 and 74. 24-year old amateur Aloysa Atienza finished in third place with an aggregate score of 158.

Speaking about her appearance in the HSBC Women’s World Championship, which returns to Sentosa from 3rd to 6th March, Koh said:

“It means a lot because it’s the first really competitive round that I’ve played in two years, so glad to have hung on and sealed the deal.

“I’m definitely really excited because the last time I played, I believe it was 2016, so that’s quite a few years ago. This year is a bit more special because we haven’t been able to compete the past two years due to Covid, so everybody wanted that spot because it’s Asia’ Major.

“It’s the qualifier everybody wants to play in. It’s the one event everyone wants to win, so we get that spot to play in HSBC Women’s World Championship. It’s a great start for us, because we have a bit of home advantage, familiar with the course and conditions.

“For me as a pro, it’s good to see the gap – how the others prepare for a tournament, what they do during practice round and during the week that separates them from us. The HSBC Women’s World Championship is great for golf, especially ladies golf in Singapore, so a lot of aspiring juniors can work towards competing in this event.”

Asked who she would most like to tee-off with in two weeks’ time, Koh added, “I would like to play with Lydia Ko, I played with her as an amateur, I think it was 2011. She’s in great form now, and it would be nice to play with her again.”

Despite the disappointment, Amanda Tan, who was also vying for a fourth start in the tournament, was philosophical about her result:

“I thought I played pretty good on the front 9, made some really good saves. But a bit more sloppy on the back 9 so that cost me. And the last hole, I had about 7-8 feet for par, and obviously I didn’t make it. But it’s all good. Move forward, learn from this week and keep improving I guess.”

The 2022 HSBC Women’s World Championship National Qualifying Tournament was contested by seven amateur and three professional Singaporean golfers over 36 holes of stroke play on the championship’s Tanjong course.

For more information on the HSBC Women’s World Championship and all the latest news, please visit the tournament website at https://www.hsbcgolf.com/womens