Singapore, 18 November 2008 – The Captains of Team Asia and Team International, along with title sponsor Lexus have made their final picks for the Lexus Cup 2008 which takes place at the Singapore Island Country Club from 28th – 30th November.

Twelve of the world’s top female golfers will team up against their opposition for a three day contest of Foursomes, Fourball and Singles to determine the champions of the fourth edition of the Lexus Cup which returns to Singapore this year.

With eight players on each side being determined through the LPGA Official Money List and Rolex Rankings, two final spots are chosen by the captains and another two by Lexus.

Team International Captain Annika Sorenstam has gone for experience in her choices, opting for Lexus Cup veterans Nicole Castrale and Natalie Gulbis, both from the United States. Castrale joined the team for the first time in Australia last year and after a consistent season on Tour with six top-ten finishes (as of 2nd November) including a second place at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, Castrale will return with confidence and team experience.

Natalie Gulbis has played under Sorenstam’s captaincy since the inaugural event in 2005 and will be keen to capture the trophy for a second time after a difficult season on Tour where she has suffered with injury and form. Her knowledge of the event and excellent team spirit will be important assets in this eagerly anticipated contest.

“Natalie and Nicole will be strong additions to our team line-up in Singapore. I am very happy with my 11 team mates and think we are going to give Team Asia a real challenge this year”, said Sorenstam after the final line-up was announced.

“Getting the balance right within a team is always a challenge in team events but I think we have a great mix this year and everyone is keen to finish the season on a high note.”

Filling the Captain’s picks for Team Asia this year will be Sarah Lee of Korea and Japan’s Mayumi Shimomura. Lee was vice-captain of Se RI’s victorious team in 2007 and has been chosen again for her playing skills and leadership qualities alongside her Captain. Shimomura will be a new player for Pak to take under her wing as the JLPGA player makes her debut for Team Asia.

Se Ri Pak spoke of her selections saying, “Sarah was a great support to me and the other players last year so she was an obvious choice and she will once again be a key player on my team. I am also very happy to have Shimomura joining us for the first time. It will be a great experience for her and I know she will have a lot of fun with us in Singapore.”

Wrapping up the world-class field this year are two selections on both teams from Lexus who this year have gone for a blend of youth and experience. Team International will have Nikki Campbell of Australia return for the third year running while larger-than-life Christina Kim from America joins her International compatriots for the first time.

Nikki Campbell plays on the Japan LPGA and wowed her home crowd last year at The Vines Resort and Country Club with her first Lexus Cup victory when she partnered Angela Park in the fourballs on day two.

Two-time winner on the LPGA Tour since turning professional in 2002, Christina Kim was a member of the winning US Solheim Cup Team in 2005 and her bubbly personality and popularity with the golfing fans will give the International side an added boost.

Captain of Team Asia, Se Ri Pak, makes her return to the team for the third year - and second as captain – through the sponsors selection after a tough season on Tour nudged her out of the rankings qualification criteria. Completing the reigning champion’s 12 members is another player from Japan – Namika Omata. Omata also plies her trade on the JPLGA with Campbell and Shimomura and sits just outside the top 100 players on the Rolex Rankings. She was part of Team Asia back in 2005 so she will be hoping to be on the winning side this time around.

Vince Socco, Senior Vice President, Marketing Planning Division Toyota Motor Asia-Pacific spoke of their selections for the 2008 teams saying, “With such a strong pull of players qualifying for this year’s Lexus Cup, we are delighted to strengthen that further with our selections as title sponsor of this prestigious event. Se Ri Pak has proven her capabilities as a strong leader for the Asian players and welcoming back Omata after her appearance at the first event is a great boost of experience to their team. On the International side, Nikki Campbell has vital team experience having played since 2006 and Christina Kim will certainly add some flare and sparkle to the event which will be great to watch at the end of the month.”

With the teams confirmed and their uniforms all ready for their arrival, the stage has been set for what could be the most thrilling and nail-biting Lexus Cup yet. As Annika Sorenstam leads Team International for the fourth time in her final professional season on Tour, there will be a combination of sentiment and patriotism from the local crowds who will join the players at the Singapore Island Country Club for three days of action.

Team International

Team Asia

Qualification Criteria
The top four available Asian players from the Rolex Rankings followed by the top four available Asian players from the LPGA Official Money List qualify for Team Asia. The same qualifying procedure is carried out for Team International. Should players not be available to play in the Lexus Cup or names are duplicated in both rankings, the next best player is picked. Once the top eight players of each team are confirmed, a further two captain’s picks and two sponsor’s exemptions are selected for each team.