Singapore: Shannon Tan will spearhead a strong Singapore line-up in the golf tournament at the 20th Asian Games in Japan next month.

Winner of last year’s Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit, Tan has continued to impress in 2026, posting her first top-10 finish at a Major in the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham in England a fortnight ago followed by a third-place finish at the PIF London Championship.

Joining Tan in the Singapore team at Kasugai Country Club in Nagoya from September 30 to October 3 will be Nicklaus Chiam, James Leow, Hiroshi Tai, Amanda Tan and Chen Xingtong.

The six-player squad brings together an accomplished mix of established professionals and talented amateurs, reflecting the rapid progress of Singapore golf on both the regional and international stage.

The selection comes on the back of a landmark period for Singapore golf, highlighted by victories on regional and international professional Tours by Shannon Tan, Leow and Chiam.

Shannon enjoyed a breakthrough campaign on the LET in 2025, winning twice en route to clinching the Order of Merit title. Her achievements saw her become the first golfer to be named The Straits Times Athlete of the Year, while also receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Singapore Golf Award.

The 22-year-old said: “It’s always a huge honour to represent Singapore, and I’m really excited to be part of the Asian Games team next month.

“I’ve been fortunate to represent Singapore on a few big stages, but every time I put on the national colours, it still means a lot. I’m looking forward to competing, enjoying the experience and hopefully making Singapore proud.”

Leow, meanwhile, secured his Asian Tour card after capturing an Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in Saudi Arabia in 2025, while Chiam claimed his maiden professional victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters in February 2026. 

Leow said: “Having had the privilege of representing Singapore at the previous Asian Games, the memories and experience from that week are still very special to me. To have the opportunity to do it again, this time bringing the experience I’ve gained from competing professionally on the Asian Tour, makes it even more meaningful.

“I’m really proud to represent Singapore and excited for the opportunity to compete alongside the best athletes from across Asia. Hopefully, I can use the experience I’ve gained from professional golf, both on and off the course, to contribute to the team and make Singapore proud.”

Tai, the reigning Singapore Golf Association (SGA) Male Golfer of the Year, made history in 2025 when he became the first Singaporean to compete at The Masters Tournament. The Georgia Tech graduate established himself as one of golf’s elite amateurs with his victory at the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.

Chen was named SGA Female Golfer of the Year following a breakthrough season that saw her become the first Singaporean to reach the final of the US Girls’ Junior Championship in 2025. 

The 17-year-old also played a key role in helping Singapore secure the women’s team silver medal at the Southeast (SEA) Games and contributed to Singapore’s best-ever finish of tied-15th at the World Amateur Team Championships in 2025.

Amanda Tan, who in 2017 became the first Singaporean to win on the China Ladies Professional Golf Tour, completes the women’s line-up.

National coach Murray Smit believes Singapore possesses a squad capable of challenging the continent’s best.

He said: “All six players are proven champions in their own right and I have full confidence that they will fly the Singapore flag high in Japan.”

Singapore will be aiming for its first podium finish at the Asian Games. At the previous edition in Hangzhou in 2023, the men’s team finished fifth while the women’s team placed eighth.

The Asian Games golf competition will feature both individual and team events contested over four rounds of stroke play. Individual medals will be awarded to the players with the lowest aggregate scores after 72 holes.

For the team event, the two best scores from the three male and female players in each round will count towards the team standings.

*The Singapore Golf Association is a member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.