RIO DE JANEIRO, 18 Aug 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) - The 22-year-old, a product of the Hong Kong Golf Association's junior development programme, fired a level-par 71 over the in Barra da Tijuca, on the outskirts of Brazil's second-most populous city, to find herself alongside the likes of major champions Suzann Pettersen and Catriona Matthew in a share of 26th.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, who won the Women's British Open just last month, leads a packed leader board following a six-under-par 65.
Female golfers have not had the opportunity to compete at the Summer Games for 116 years, but Chan, one of only three amateurs in the elite field of 60, took her chance to impress on the greatest sporting stage of them all with a remarkable performance.
"I tried to approach the round like a regular tournament but it was hard not to be excited by the occasion," admitted the reigning Hong Kong Ladies Open champion. "I hit it really well, made the putts I should have made and just tried to have as much fun as possible out there."
Despite a bogey at the demanding par-3 fourth hole, where she was unlucky to see her tee shot settle over the green, the University of Southern California junior carded three straight birdies to make the turn in two-under.
A triple bogey eight at the par-5 10th, where she found successive greenside bunkers, was followed by a bogey at the 11th and Chan faced the very real danger of seeing her round becoming derailed. After giving herself a good talking to, however, the Tuen Mun-born player got things back on track with birdies at the 13th and 16th to end her day in style.
"I was quite tense after the triple but together with Steven [Lam Tsz-fung, Chan's caddie] I told myself there are still plenty of holes left," continued the former Diocesan Girls' School student, "so it was very satisfying to make those shots up at the end.
"I am just an amateur and I know my level, but my focus now is to try and not think about what the pros are doing, play each shot as it comes and keep the mistakes to a minimum. It's amazing to be here."
President of the Hong Kong Golf Association Mark Chan, who is in Rio, was full of praise for Tiffany and her accomplishment in becoming Hong Kong's first golfing Olympian.
"She is absolutely holding her own against the very best players in the game and was very composed the whole way around," said Chan (no relation). "Tiffany shrugged off what happened on the 10th and 11 holes fantastically.
"She's received fabulous support and she feels like she is surrounded by friends, which is a big help. It's been a wonderful day for both her and for Hong Kong golf. She continues to make us all very proud."