Ai Miyazato will grace the fairways at Sentosa Golf Club next week.
Singapore:
Ai Miyazato and
Melissa Reid will join the elite field for next week’s US$1.5 million HSBC Women’s Champions at Sentosa Golf Club, a Golf Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation [AGIF].
The pair will take their place in the 63-player field on account of their continued commitment and contribution to the game, courtesy of an invitation from tournament sponsor HSBC.
Former world number one Miyazato won the tournament in 2010, the same year that she held the top spot in the player rankings for a total of 11 weeks. The 30-year-old Okinawa boasts nine LPGA Tour wins, 58 top-10 finishes and career earnings of more than US$7.5 million.
Miyazato said: “I’m delighted to be returning to Singapore for the HSBC Women’s Champions. Of course I have wonderful memories from 2010 and would love to challenge for the title again. Sentosa is a tough course but it’s a wonderful event and I look forward to seeing all the fans there again. I’d like to extend my thanks to HSBC for this opportunity.”
Reid is returning to the tournament for the first time since 2012. The English 28-year-old has continued to make stellar progress on the Ladies European Tour (LET), winning last year’s Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.
Last year she played in 14 LET tournaments, securing nine top-15 finishes and ended the season in second position on the Order of Merit. She also represented Europe at the 2015 Solheim Cup, winning 3½ points for her team.
“A big thank you to HSBC for this fantastic opportunity to come back to Singapore and play in the HSBC Women’s Champions. It’s a different course from the last time I played the tournament so I’m looking forward to playing the Serapong. I’ve heard it’s pretty challenging.
“It sounds as though there is a lot going on, both on and off the golf course, and Take That as well, so I’m looking forward to landing in the Lion City next week,” said Reid.
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events for HSBC, said: “We are delighted that Ai and Melissa will be joining us in Singapore. At HSBC our ambition is to open up the world of golf and help to grow the game and attract new audiences.
“These two champions have contributed a tremendous amount to the sport in their countries, and are a true inspiration to young girls around the world.”
Organised by AGIF Executive Member IMG, the HSBC Women’s Champions will provide visitors with a four-day festival of golf, music and food.
Take That will perform live in Singapore for the first time in over two decades, with a one-off concert on March 5 while Electronic Dance Music DJ
Jack Novak will fly in from the US to join local talents DJ
Farz and DJ
Li.A to spin for fans at the end of each day’s play.
Celebrity chef
Monica Galetti will headline the culinary element of the event, providing visitors with a preview of the dishes that she will be serving at her London restaurant debut
Mere, which opens later this year.