Paris 2024: Super Shannon seals more firsts in breakout year

By Patrick Johnston

Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan had a lot to take in during her history-making appearance at the women’s individual Olympic tournament. 

The Le Golf National course proved an incredible testing venue; the crowds were the biggest she had ever experienced but there was something else that caught the 20-year-old golfer’s eye.

"It’s definitely the first time I’ve ever seen people carry a Singapore flag on a golf course, I never thought I would see that," Tan said. 

"People are coming all the way from Singapore just to watch me play." 

Tan completed her tournament on Saturday with a two-over-par 72, for a four round total of seven-over 295. That was good enough for a 40th place finish. A noble effort, finished in style with a final hole eagle, by Singapore’s first ever representative at Olympic golf.

"It’s fun, a couple of years down the road, I can look back and think I made history," she said. "I think it’s quite cool. It’s a good place to start. I feel like being the first is always good. But there’s always a first and never a last. 

‘It’s good to be first, but you know people are always going to surpass it and that’s always a good thing.” 

Shannon Tan tees off from the first hole to start her second round at the Olympic women’s individual golf tournament. Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

Tan’s Olympic experience capped an incredible year for the breakout star.

She opted to forego the remainder of her Texas Tech golf scholarship to turn professional at the start of the year. She showed what a good decision that was by winning the Kenya Ladies Open title on her Ladies European Tour debut in February.

It was the first win by a Singaporean on the European Tour, and she backed it up with two more top ten finishes to leave her sixth in the Tour Order of Merit standings. 

Despite the success, Tan admitted she felt incredibly nervous when teeing it up in Paris in front of the biggest crowds of her career.

Shannon Tan stands behind her golf bag as she checks her yardage book during her second round at the Olympic women’s individual golf tournament. Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

But she bounced back well after her opening 78, to move up the leaderboard and even impress her idol, Briton Georgia Hall, the 2018 British Open champion, who was just two shots ahead of Tan in Paris.

"She is still so young and she's a really great talent," Hall said of Tan. "I am sure she’s going to win many more tournaments. It’s great for the country. It means a lot if I can be a role model to her. I am very honoured."

Tan said she hoped that her trailblazing would help inspire other Singaporean golfers.

"It is always a good start when you are an Olympian," Tan said. "It is the biggest sporting stage for golf. Everyone looks at the Olympics.

"I just want to be a better person for myself and for people back home and try to be an inspiration." 

Shannon Tan watches her ball after a drive during the third round of the Olympic women’s individual golf tournament. Photo: Sport Singapore/Andy Chua

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.