Can’t wait to swing it

In illustrious company: Kelly will be up against some of the world’s top 10 players including world No. 2 Nelly Korda and No. 4 Danielle Kang of the US.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s No. 1 women’s golfer Kelly Tan is ready to come out swinging.

The 26-year-old has been cleared to compete in the US$1mil (RM4.25mil) LPGA Drive On Championship in Ohio, the United States.

She has passed the Covid-19 test administered on Monday and will be in action at Inverness Club tomorrow when the championship begins.

Kelly took to her Instagram to share her delight with a caption “Ready to rock!”.

Like many other golfers, Kelly, too, is itching for action as it will mark her first tournament in five months. She last competed in the Women’s Australian Open in February, just before the pandemic brought sporting events worldwide to a standstill.

Kelly will be part of the 144-player field at the LPGA Drive On Championship, a newly-created event to make up for the cancellation of several tournaments.

She will be going up against some of the world’s top 10 players including world No. 2 Nelly Korda and No. 4 Danielle Kang of the US.

“I’m looking forward to representing Malaysia on the LPGA Tour again and hope to finish the 2020 season on a high, ” wrote Kelly in her column with Sunday Star’s TeeUp on July 12.

In her only two starts of the season, Kelly made the cut at the Vic Open and Women’s Australian Open, finishing 40th and tied 48th respectively.

After this week’s meet, Kelly will next play at the Marathon Classic, which is also taking place in Ohio, at the Highland Meadows Golf Club.

Kelly has fond memories of this tournament after clinching a career-best joint fourth placing during her rookie year in 2014.

Kelly had previously competed on the LPGA Tour for four seasons before losing her card in 2017. She made a comeback this year after regaining her card through the Tour’s Qualifying Series last December.