Singapore: With 11 Major titles between them, three of the world’s most inspiring golfers have confirmed their participation in next month’s HSBC Women’s World Championship.

Ranked one, three and five in the Rolex World Rankings respectively, Ko Jin-young, Lydia Ko and Park In-bee will tee-up alongside defending champion Kim Hyo-joo on the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club from March 3-6.

Ko Jin-young will head to Singapore in a rich vein of form having chalked up five wins and 13 top-10 finishes in what was a stellar year for the Korean in 2021. With 12 tournament wins to her name, including two Majors, the 26-year old will have her eye on the silverware at Sentosa as she looks to get her 2022 campaign off to a perfect start.

A rookie in 2018, her best result to date at the HSBC Women’s World Championship was a third-place tie in 2019.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to Singapore to play in the HSBC Women’s World Championship. It’s a brilliant event and it was good to see it back on the schedule last year. 2021 was a great year for me and I finished off feeling really strong. I’ll be looking to carry that form into 2022, so will be hoping for a good result in Singapore,” said Ko.

A double winner in Singapore, Park has already written her name into the Sentosa history books – and is seeking to complete a hat-trick in 2022, to add to her haul of 21 LPGA Tour victories, including seven Majors, and an Olympic gold medal.

As well as her Sentosa triumphs in 2015 and 2017, the 33-year-old from Seoul placed third in 2021.

“It’s great news that we’re coming back to Singapore in 2022! On behalf of all the players, a big thank you to the organisers, the sponsors and Singapore! It’s a fantastic tournament, a great golf club and after all the travel restrictions a great place to come and play golf.

“I got my season off to the perfect start in 2021 so will be hoping I can do the same at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. It’s a special tournament for me and brings back many happy memories,” said Park.

Another prolific winner returning to the heat and lush surroundings of Sentosa Golf Club is New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.

An impressive year on Tour in 2021 included a win at the LOTTE Championship, and a further 10 top-10 finishes and saw the former world number one work her way back up the rankings. Winner of two Major championships, Ko’s best result to date in Singapore is a second place finish in 2015.

“I’ve had some good results at Sentosa over the years but haven’t managed to get my hands on the trophy yet. Maybe 2022 can be my year! I’m pretty happy with my game right now. I’ll be looking to the HSBC Women’s World Championship to post a good result and hopefully lay a foundation for the rest of the year,” said Ko.

Wong Kee Joo, CEO HSBC Singapore, said: “It is fantastic news that ‘Asia’s Major’ will once again see the world’s best golfers compete in the global hub that is Singapore. 

“We are committed to opening up a world of opportunity for women and girls in sport and are thrilled to see such a stellar line-up for our latest edition of the HSBC Women’s World Championship. Our long-term partnership with IMG and the Singapore Tourism Board has been hugely successful in creating new opportunity for the sport in Singapore and internationally, at both the elite and grassroots level, and we aren’t done yet.”

Ong Ling Lee, Director, Sports & Wellness, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “The HSBC Women’s World Championship is a key highlight in Singapore’s sports events calendar.

“We drew good lessons in piloting corporate hospitality suites and digital engagement from last year’s tournament, the first international professional golf tournament in Asia since the pandemic started. This paved the way for the safe resumption of more sports events with live audiences. Together with IMG, the LPGA Tour, and HSBC, we look forward to staging a safe and high quality tournament for everyone.”

Andy Johnston, General Manager, and Director of Agronomy at Sentosa Golf Club, said: “Sentosa Golf Club is once again looking forward to welcoming the world’s best female golfers back to Singapore for another edition of this grand championship.

“After the heroics of last year’s tournament, we are ready for many more memorable moments to be created on The Tanjong, and our team will be working hard to produce the tournament-ready conditions that have gained the respect of some of the game’s greatest stars over the last few years.”

A Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Sentosa Golf Club is a leading light in driving sustainability initiatives in golf around the world and was recently named ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ at the World Golf Awards for the second consecutive year.