PARIS — Getting off to a shaky start with a double bogey on the par-four first hole, Singapore's Shannon Tan recovered to card a one-over 73 in the third round of the Paris Olympics women's golf tournament on Aug 9.
The 20-year-old would make birdies on the fifth and 13th holes to sandwich a bogey on the sixth to remain tied for 36th place out of 60 players after three rounds at Le Golf National.
She is on five-over 221.
Tan, who played on the same flight as Austrian Sarah Schober and Filipina Dottie Ardina, said: "It is never ideal to start the round with a double bogey, but I reminded myself that it is not a shot that I can re-do and that there are 17 more holes to play so it is still possible to make up for it if I remain focused.
"It is Le Golf National so birdies are definitely hard to come by. The plan was to keep putting it on the green in regulation to give me the best chance. The birdie on the fifth was a little bounce back and provided some momentum as well."
In testing conditions, there have been new names atop the leaderboard after every round.
Two-time Major champion, New Zealand's Lydia Ko, vaulted to the top with a four-under 68 for a nine-under 207 total.
She was later joined by overnight leader Megane Metraux of Switzerland, who closed with a brilliant eagle on the 18th.
Japan's Miyu Yamashita (68) and American Rose Zhang (67) were joint-third, two shots adrift on 209.
Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul continued to carry South-east Asian hopes by putting herself in contention with a 69 to climb to fifth on a six-under 210, while defending champion Nelly Korda of the US continued to improve with another 70 to join a four-way tie for seventh place on 212.
Australian Hannah Green chalked up one eagle, seven birdies against three bogeys for a 66 that was the best round of the day that took her up to joint 11th on 213.
Barring an improbable turn of events, Tan is unlikely to make a medal charge in the final round on Aug 10, but is looking forward to finishing strong and soak in the experience of becoming the first Singaporean golfer to compete at the Olympics.
She said: "Sticking to the game plan will be the goal. It is going to be an exciting final round, the atmosphere and crowd has been great all week, so I will also try to take it all in."
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This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
