Shannon Tan recovers from poor start to clinch women’s golf medal at Asian Games

NAGOYA - Singapore’s Shannon Tan secured a historic golf medal at the Asian Games on Oct 3, after shooting a final round two-under 68 to guarantee herself a top-three finish in the women’s individual event.

The 22-year-old, who finished with a 14-under 266 total in regulation, will progress to a play-off with China’s Yin Ruoning (67, 266) to determine the final placings.

India’s Pranavi Sharath Urs clinched gold after carding an even-par 70 for a 265 total to finish one stroke ahead of her rivals.

Throughout her burgeoning golf career, Tan has notched several historic milestones.

Since turning professional in 2024, Tan’s achievements include becoming the first Singaporean golfer to win the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit and compete at the Olympics.

She accomplished yet another historic feat on Oct 3, when she became the nation’s first golfer to win a medal at the Asian Games, after clinching a medai in the women’s individual golf at the Kasugai Country Club East Course.

The 22-year-old, who had led after the first and second rounds, began the final day second, three strokes behind overnight leader Sharath Urs and a shot ahead of China’s world No. 6 Yin Ruoning.

But Yin, the 2023 Women’s PGA Championship winner, soon moved into a share of second with Tan with a birdie on the par-four hole No. 2, after the Singaporean bogeyed the first hole.

The Chinese then overtook Tan, who posted another bogey on the par-four third hole. The Singaporean golfer eventually shot a 68 to finish on 14-under 266 after four rounds.

The world No. 59 has been in impressive form in 2026.

Apart from claiming her first medal at the Asiad, she has also recorded seven top-10 finishes, including a joint-sixth showing at the Women’s British Open.

Before Tan, no Singaporean golfer had stood on the podium at the Asian Games since the sport was first introduced to the quadrennial event’s programme in 1982.

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