LPGA returns at last to Asia

Singapore: Top tier international golf makes a welcome return to Southeast Asia this week with the 13th edition of the HSBC Women’s World Championship getting underway on Thursday.

A total of 69 players representing 18 nations will vie for one of the most coveted golf titles in Asia over the New Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, a Facility member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“We’re delighted to welcome the HSBC Women’s World Championship back to Singapore. Not only is this one of the standout golf events in Asia, it also marks an important return for elite golf to the region,” said Grant Slack, EVP and Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG, the tournament promoters.

“As always, the championship has an incredibly strong field and I have no doubt that the players will put on another spectacular show for us. We’re set for a fantastic week of competition and we look forward to crowning the 2021 champion on Sunday.” 

With limited on-site spectator access due to Covid safety restrictions, fans can catch the action as it unfolds on television in Singapore and around the world. A live telecast produced by Asian Tour Media will be broadcast across 160 countries.

World number one Ko Jin-young, a two-time Major winner, headlines a field that also includes fellow-Korean and world number two Park In-bee, seven-time Major champion, Olympic gold medallist and twice a winner in Singapore.

Also in the starting line-up are defending champion Park Sung-hyun of Korea and American Angela Stanford who claimed the trophy in 2012.

Other competitors ranked in the world’s top-10 are American Danielle Kang (fifth), New Zealander Lydia Ko, whose win in Hawaii last week propelled her to seventh, Korean Kim Hyo-joo (ninth) and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka (10th).

Making her Singapore debut is ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit. The 21-year-old Thai has received a sponsor exemption after winning the first Major championship of the year in her rookie year on Tour. She is joined by four other Thais – Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Jasmine Suwannapura and PornanongPhatlum.

Another player making her debut is Germany’s Sophia Popov. The 28-year-old won the AIG Women’s British Open last August. Ranked 304th in the world at the start of the tournament and having overcome illness and the loss of a full Tour card, Popov claimed a two-shot victory at Royal Troon.

The tour will then move onto Pattaya next week to the Siam Country Club Old Course.