Beyond the Debut Win: Shannon Tan's Drive for LPGA Success and Olympic Glory

28 April 2025

“When I won on my debut, I kind of couldn't believe it happened. But at the same time I was like, it's just, just another day.”

Ambitious, confident, and enviably composed on the course, Shannon Tan had a stellar rookie year on the Ladies European Tour. Collette Wong caught up with this rising star of the golfing world to learn about her journey so far and her targets for the future.

Shannon was just 19 when she became the first Singaporean to win on the LET – and what made it all the more remarkable was that the victory came on her debut.

“On that particular morning,” she told Collette, “I woke up feeling a bit nervous and excited at the same time. But I think I knew once I got on the golf course, I'd be fine. I knew I’d feel comfortable.”

That success was followed by eight more top 15 results on the Tour, helping Tan finish sixth in the Order of Merit as a rookie. Shannon also qualified to compete at the Paris Olympics.
“The Olympics is just like the biggest sporting stage and like it's the pinnacle of sport for most sports. On that first tee box, I just felt a lot of adrenaline and it was good. I’m just really honoured and proud to have represented Singapore and be the first Singaporean golfer to tee up at the Olympics.”
A phenomenal year – in which Tan also competed in two LPGA co-sanctioned events and two majors. She travelled to 18 countries and played in 29 events. That schedule took its toll.

“Towards the end of last season, I felt really burnt out and I felt like I went into Q School not feeling the best physically. I think that's just the cause of not being able to go to the gym as often if I'm playing seven events in a row. I think this year I'm going to prioritize giving myself rest and also giving myself enough time to still hit the gym and still be in good shape physically as well. So I think, yeah, last year, it's your rookie year, so it's basically a year where you're supposed to learn and gain experience.”
She impressed while gaining experience too, but, as that slight sense of regret about Q School – the qualifying rounds for the LPGA – suggested, moving on up is her goal for 2025. And this mature 21-year-old knows what she has to do to get there.
“I've looked at my stats from last year and I found I can be better with up and down percentages, like short game. I was like 35 % last year, so if I can get that up to 50%, I'd save quite a few shots there. For putting like anything below 10 feet as well, like I can get better in that part as well. I’ve always looked at what's the 1 % I can improve on tomorrow, what's the 1 % I can improve on this month.”