26-year-old Kelly Tan has brought a new name to Malaysia with her golfing skills. She currently resides in the United States where she plays golf professionally. Not only has she won medals and accreditations while on a tournament overseas with her golf success but she remains humble with her victories.
Started her passion for golf at the tender age of 12 years old and she credits it to her dad who got her into this sports.
We got a chance to speak with her and her passion.
1. What is the best part of being a professional golfer?
First, is the fact that I to travel the world at a young age and see different places and essentially learn about other cultures. I’ve also been blessed with meeting amazing people along the way that became great friends of mine. It’s definitely a great way to learn about life.
2. What are some of the challenges you have to face being in this industry? How did you overcome it?
Golf is a tough game. You can have all sort of emotion in just 1 hole. For instance, today can be great but tomorrow can be horrible. You just have to keep your chin up and keep working at it. Eventually, when you do win, it is the most satisfying feeling in the world because you know how hard you’ve worked and it paid off.
3. Which golfer do you look up to and why?
Tiger Woods! He’s such an amazing athlete and consider what he’s gone on with his life and have the ability to block out all the mental errors and come back and win the Masters is something that not every human could ever imagine.
4. Describe some of the training preparations you do before a tournament?
My tournament days are usually Thursday to Sunday. So I would practice on Monday Tuesday and work out for an hour both days. I would work on the range for a couple of hours each day and the same as a short game and then play 9 holes after.
5. How many times do you train in a week and how much of hours do you put in?
If it’s a non-tournament week, I usually go out and play 18 holes 3 to 4 times a week. As for the other days, I’ll just work on my game 2 hours on the long game and 2 hours on the short game together with an hour in the gym.
6. How does it feel like representing for Malaysia in golf? Why?
The biggest stage I got to represent Malaysia was in the Rio Olympic in 2016. That was a real humbling experience as I think it is every athlete’s dream is to be an Olympian. I love what I do because sport brings everyone together and it is a huge honour to be flying the Malaysia flag anywhere I go.
7. What is your motivation in life?
I want to be the best version of me. Since there are no other Malaysian girls playing professional golf over here in the US. I want to be able to pave the path for the others and show them that it is possible to do so and to be their role model.
To follow on her current victories, follow her on her Instagram at kellytan33.