Shanghai, China: Feng Shanshan has hailed the launch of the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
To be staged at Qizhong Garden Golf Club from October 18-21, it will be the first LPGA Tour event in Shanghai.
SAIC-GM Buick has committed to sponsor the tournament for a five-year period.
The first edition will boast a purse of US$2.1 million and the field will consist of 62 of the world’s top ranked players on the LPGA Money List, 15 from China Ladies Professional Rankings and four sponsor invites.
The tournament will be a 72-hole stroke play event over four days with no cut and will be sanctioned by the China Golf Association (CGA), the LPGA and the China LPGA.
Feng, the first Chinese player, male or female, to win a Major and be ranked number one in the world, attended the official announcement.
Feng said: “I am very honoured to be here to make this announcement of the exciting new Buick LPGA Shanghai. I am so proud to represent China as I play all around the world, but it is particularly special to be able to welcome all my friends on the LPGA to my homeland for such an exciting new tournament. I can’t wait for October.”
Ye Bao, General Director, Marketing Department of SAIC-GM Buick, founding partner of the event, said: “Buick Golf is a long-term, high-end sports platform constructed by Buick. Buick LPGA Shanghai begins its first five years, marking a new peak of Chinese women’s golf championship, which is wholly supported by Buick.
“We hope that through this event, we can help Chinese players accumulate more experience, keep forging ahead, and realise their golf dream.”
Zheng Pang from the China Golf Association said: “The CGA is more than happy to have a new LPGA event in China. Buick LPGA Shanghai will provide the best competing platform for local Chinese players to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”
Grant Slack, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG, said: “We are delighted to be working with Buick and the LPGA on this prestigious new tournament.
“Women’s golf in China is in a very healthy state, largely thanks to Shanshan’s phenomenal achievements in the past few years. She has blazed a trail around the world for all of China’s up and coming players and is a wonderful ambassador for the women’s game globally.
“This event will be the perfect platform for both Buick, Shanshan, her fellow Chinese players and all of the LPGA’s star golfers to showcase their phenomenal talents.”
LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan added: “We are proud and excited to team up with Buick and IMG to bring our Tour to China’s largest city, Shanghai.
“It will be a delight to show off the talented field of female golfers from the LPGA, the China Golf Association and the China LPGA to the great fans of China who have always showed us tremendous support.”