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Koh to assess her pro prospects at HSBC event

SINGAPORE — With plans to turn professional later this year, golfer Koh Sock Hwee will get a timely taste of what to expect soon.

Koh hopes a good performance at the tournament will boost her chances of being chosen for the SEA Games. Photo: Don Wong

Koh hopes a good performance at the tournament will boost her chances of being chosen for the SEA Games. Photo: Don Wong

SINGAPORE — With plans to turn professional later this year, golfer Koh Sock Hwee will get a timely taste of what to expect soon.

The 25-year-old Singaporean will represent her country in the US$1.4 million (S$1.89 million) HSBC Women’s Champions in March after winning the local qualifying tournament at the Sentosa Golf Club’s (SGC) Serapong course yesterday.

Koh finished with a 154 total after carding a one-over par 73 to win the two-day competition. She was two shots ahead of second-placed Christabel Goh — who qualified for the tournament in 2013 — who had a 156 total.

Only the top 63 players from the previous year are invited for this year’s HSBC Women’s Champions, including the top 20 ranked players in the Rolex women’s world rankings, LPGA Tour champions and the tournament’s previous two winners.

Among the names confirmed for this year’s edition include world No 1 Park In-bee of South Korea, New Zealander Lydia Ko, world No 6 Michelle Wie, and defending champion and 2010 US Open winner Paula Creamer of the United States.

All of the previous local qualifiers have finished last at the HSBC Women’s Champions since it was held in Singapore in 2008, but Koh insists she will not be fazed by her predecessors’ results as she intends to use the tournament, which will be held at the SGC from March 5 to 8, as a dress rehearsal for turning professional.

“I’m trying to not let this affect me mentally ... if you look at it in another way, they are the top 60 golfers in the world, and I will just play and not think too much about the pressure,” she said yesterday. “It would be nice to play against Lydia Ko as she’s so much younger than me, but her game is right up there.”

“As a golfer, I want to enjoy this experience and it is nice to play with the cream of the crop. There’s a high chance I will turn pro after the SEA Games next year, so this will be a good gauge to see how I stand.”

This will be Koh’s second appearance at the HSBC Women’s Champions, and she hopes a good performance there will boost her chances of being selected for this year’s SEA Games in June.

“I’m sure standing on the first tee on the first day, I will be very nervous even though this will be my second appearance at the tournament. The greens are very tricky, so I need to practice around the green a lot,” said Koh, who is also the top local female amateur golfer. “I need to sharpen my shot game and mentally I need to be stronger to back myself a bit more.” EMMANUEL PHUA

HSBC WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS:

Mar 5-8, Sentosa Golf Club

Total prize money: US$1.4 million

Format: 72 hole strokeplay — no cut

Ticketing: www.sistic.com.sg/events/hsbc0315

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