 Singapore, 20 January 2010…The HSBC Women’s Champions event organisers confirmed today that Michelle Wie will make her first appearance in Singapore when she competes in ‘Asia’s Major’ from 25-28 February 2010.
The 20 year old from Honolulu heads into her second year on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour (LPGA) after a strong end to her rookie year. She finished 10th on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in November along with seven additional top-ten finishes from 19 events.
"I am very excited about my first visit to Singapore next month and this opportunity to play in the HSBC Women's Champions event for the first time," said Wie. "After a very rewarding rookie season on the LPGA Tour last year, I'm thrilled to get back on the course in 2010, and this trip to Singapore for the HSBC Women's Champions event will be an early highlight of the season."
Wie’s career path in golf has been well documented across the globe, generating hype and excitement around the potential she has to be one of the best in the game. She first picked up the sport at the age of four and in 2003, Wie also became the youngest winner of the US Women's Amateur Public Links and the youngest, at 13 years old, to qualify for a LPGA Tour event. In 2005, after competing in seven events on the LPGA and claiming a second place in the McDonald’s LPGA Championship, Wie turned professional.
“Michelle Wie showed the world last year what a top class player she is and HSBC are delighted to welcome her with the other champions to Singapore for the third edition of the HSBC Women’s Champions. She was a great draw with the crowds when she played in our HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship and is a fantastic addition to the field,” said Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship, HSBC.
“It is fantastic for Asian golf to have such a host of great champions in the region and I believe it will help maintain the excitement that has followed Yang becoming the first Asian Major winner. She is a popular figure in the world of women’s golf and her presence on the Garden Course at Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) alongside champions Lorena Ochoa (2008) and Jiyai Shin (2009) will make for wonderful entertainment and action for the spectators as well as inspiring for the next generation of young golfers.”
Michelle Wie is joining a star-studded line-up at the HSBC Women’s Champions which includes the likes of world number five Yani Tseng of Taiwan. A local favourite, Tseng made her first appearance at TMCC in 2009 and had a mixed season of results with victory at the LPGA Corning Classic and 12 additional top-ten performances. Along with defending champion Jiyai Shin, Tseng leads the Asian charge in a bid to become ‘Champion of Champions’ this year.
Robbie Henchman, Senior Vice President, IMG said, “Michelle Wie’s entry along with top players such as Lorena, Jiyai and Yani underlines the prestige of the HSBC Women’s Champions as one of the leading events on the LPGA calendar. It is great for the Asian region to have the opportunity to host so many of the World’s best women golfers.”
A total of 63 players will tee-off for four days of stroke play at TMCC. Along with two sponsors invites, the field will be completed by the winning Singaporean amateur or professional of a two-day local qualifying tournament taking place at TMCC today and tomorrow (20-21 Jan 2010). In 2008, Amelia Yong represented the host country and fourteen year old Joey Poh had the honour in 2009.
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