Golfer Kelly aims to enjoy her game in second Olympic outing

TOKYO: Malaysia's Kelly Tan plans to just go out there and enjoy herself when the women's golf individual event tees off Wednesday (Aug 4) at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, about 65 kilometres from here.

Kelly, who finished 51st in her maiden Olympic campaign at the 2016 Rio edition, is fully aware of the high-quality field that she will have to contend with and prefers to play it cool when asked about her medal chances.

"Well, it's always an honour to represent the country and I am looking forward to getting started in the Tokyo Olympics.

"Obviously, the end goal is to get a medal for Malaysia but there are four rounds of golf and many holes to play here. I just want to enjoy the game," she told Bernama when contacted today.

However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing for the 27-year-old, with the scorching weather a huge worry, not only for her but the other golfers as well.

If that's not bad enough, the three-time winner of the Malaysian Open is also dreading the three-hour return journey from the sports village to the golf venue, more so since she is still struggling with jetlag.

"My neck is really bothering me due to the hard bed and obviously I've got jet lag, having had to fly from the United States of America (USA) recently. But fret not, I am ready to tee off tomorrow," she added.

Kelly will compete with 60 others when the women's individual stroke play tees off Wednesday (Aug 4) until Saturday (Aug 7).

Among the big names in the field include the likes of reigning Olympic champion Inbee Park of South Korea, world number one Nelly Korda of the US and 10-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson of Canada.

Malaysia's hopes of a medal in men's golf ended when Gavin Green carded a four-day total of four-over 288 to finish joint 57th Sunday (Aug 1).

-- BERNAMA