HONG KONG, 5 Jan 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Chan, 22, has been an integral part of the University of Southern California (USC) women's golf team since enrolling as a junior last September and has enjoyed an electric start to her college career. The former Diocesan Girls School student joined USC after two fruitful years at Daytona State College, where she won back-to-back NJCAA national titles, and has underlined her reputation as one of the most promising young amateurs in the game by helping her side to wins at two of the biggest events on the calendar.
In November, Chan won both her matches at the inaugural East Lake Cup, a nationally televised event that featured the four premier colleges in the country, to guide USC to a convincing victory and top spot in the NCAA rankings. The win came on the back of the team's triumph at the season-opening Annika Intercollegiate, where Chan fired a second-round 65 to finish fourth in the individual standings.
"Playing division one golf is a big change – you really have to play your best golf to have a chance to win," said Chan, who won the World University Championship in Switzerland in late 2014 to break into the top-20 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. "I've been pretty happy with the way I have performed but taking the step up to this level has changed the way I think, the way I practice and the way I manage my time. It's been a really good experience."
Chan, a communications major, has formed a close friendship with former USC student and rising star Annie Park, who recently earned her LPGA Tour card after three wins on the second-tier Symetra circuit. Professional golf has its attractions but Tuen Mun-raised Chan is committed to finishing her degree and winning more amateur events before making a decision about joining the paid ranks.
"I still have a year and a half at USC and I am hoping to use that time to win more events which will build more confidence [in my game]," said Chan. "But I feel like I'm not that far away from the other players and I feel like I'm improving. Nowadays my practice is less about working on my swing; it's about focusing on distance control and hitting it closer to the hole to give myself more chances."
Amazingly, Chan, who swept all before her on the Hong Kong golfing scene as a junior before moving to the US in 2012, has never won the Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur – something she is keen to put right before heading back to California next week.
"I didn't play much over Christmas but the game is still there," said Chan, who finished 34th at the Hyundai China Ladies Open, a professional event sanctioned by the Korean and China LPGA Tours, in December. "The Hong Kong Ladies Open is the one title I'm missing so it would be nice to go out and win it this week. The field looks pretty strong but I'll be trying my best to get it done."