Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan achieved her best finish at a Major event with a tied-sixth place at the Women’s British Open, held from July 29 to August 2 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England. The 22-year-old’s performance capped a strong sequence at the four Major tournaments she contested in 2026, progressively improving her standings throughout the season.
Tan, currently ranked 83rd in the world, posted rounds of 69, 74, 71, and 69 over the four days, concluding the tournament with a one-under-par total of 283. Despite an early setback in the final round—including a double bogey caused by a four-putt on the par-three fifth hole—she recovered with multiple birdies, finishing just four strokes behind the joint leaders, Germany’s Esther Henseleit and Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki. Kuwaki would go on to secure victory in a playoff against Henseleit.
Tan was one of only 11 players to finish under par in the $10 million event, earning $247,127 in prize money. Her tied-sixth finish placed her alongside several accomplished LPGA Tour players, including Hsu Wei-ling of Chinese Taipei, Japan’s Rio Takeda, England’s Charley Hull and Lottie Wood, and South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran.
This marked Tan’s first top-10 result in a Major, following steady progress across the year’s other three events. She finished tied 16th at the Evian Championship in July, 32nd at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, and tied 38th at the Chevron Championship in April. Prior to 2026, her best Major showing was tied 40th at the 2025 Women’s British Open.
Tan credited her improvements this season to enhanced technical skills and greater mental resilience. She noted gains in adapting her game to varying course conditions, a stronger short game, and increased comfort competing at the highest level. “Technically, I’ve learnt a variety of shots I can play and have become more comfortable adapting to different lies, grasses and course conditions,” she said. “Mentally, I just feel a lot more settled than I did a year ago.”
Her breakthrough in the Major tournaments coincides with her first year playing in U.S.-based Majors, having qualified through her victory in the 2025 Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit. Tan emphasized the importance of experience in managing the pressures of elite competition, highlighting the value of patience and persistence through difficult stretches.
Looking ahead, Tan is scheduled to compete at the PIF London Championship from August 6 to 9 at the Centurion Club in England. Later in the season, she will defend her title at the Hero Women’s Indian Open in October and represent Singapore at the Asian Games in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
Reflecting on her 2026 campaign, Tan expressed optimism about her development and potential. “There are going to be difficult stretches during a Major, and this week especially I felt like I stayed patient, trusted my game and kept grinding even when things weren’t easy,” she said. “That’s something I’m proud of and will definitely take forward.”