Shanshan Seeks Memorable Olympic Swansong

Tokyo, Japan: China’s Feng Shanshan has described her bronze medal from Rio 2016 as the ‘most important’ achievement of her illustrious career as she looks to put the icing on the cake in what could be her Olympic Games swansong at Tokyo 2020.

The 10-time LPGA Tour winner and former world number one will tee up alongside compatriot Lin Xiyu at Kasumigaseki Country Club where defending gold medallist Park In-bee of Korea, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the silver medallist in Rio, and current world number one Nelly Korda of the United States will start as favourites for podium finishes in the women’s golf competition.

A medal in Tokyo would also be the perfect way for Feng to celebrate her 32nd birthday tomorrow.

With China being one of the traditional powerhouses at the Olympics, Feng said being on the podium in Rio ranks as her career highlight. She’s kept the bronze medal in a safe at her home in Guangzhou.

“Out of all of my achievements, I would say a medal at the Olympics is very special because even though I have been a Major winner, we have five Majors every year. In four years we have 20 chances to win a Major. So I would say it’s much harder to get a medal at the Olympics. It was the most important moment in my career, I would say,” said Feng.

She has previously hinted about retirement, which comes some nine years after her first LPGA Tour title and maiden Major victory at the 2012 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

The achievement made her the first Chinese golfer to win a Major. And with three top-five finishes from eight starts this season, Feng is quietly confident of contending at Kasumigaseki’s East Course.

“I’m not as nervous as last time. I was really nervous on that first tee (in Rio) and it was like I didn’t remember anything. I realised I was already walking down the fairway on the first hole, so I didn’t remember about the tee shot,” said Feng.

“I wouldn’t say I’m in the best shape in my career, but I’m very confident about my game. I just want to enjoy and relax the whole week. I’m pretty sure this is my last Olympic Games. I don’t think I will play in another Olympics. So I better enjoy it.”

Meanwhile, Feng’s compatriot Lin hopes to better her tie for 38th at the Rio Games. “I was very ready last year, but unfortunately Covid happened. When I was locked down in Orlando during Covid, I had a lot of free time to think about my career, look back a little bit. I had some serious talks to myself and I definitely had my mind more clear,” said Lin, who made an ace in Rio in 2016.

I’m very glad I ended up making the team because in 2017, I lost my Tour card. It’s probably the biggest event in my career,” she said.