Kuala Lumpur: The top 10 players from the LPGA Money List are ready to rise to the challenge as the second edition of the US$1.9 million Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia got underway with the official player presentation earlier today at the Sime Darby Convention Centre.
World number oneYani Tseng, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Suzann Pettersen, Brittany Lincicome, Angela Stanford, Ai Miyazato, Paula Creamer, Na Yeon Choi, Karrie Webb as well as defending champion, Jimin Kang, were joined by VIPs from Sime Darby, IMG and the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) to officially tee-off the week’s activities.
Speaking during the press conference, Tseng who has just claimed her sixth LPGA title of the season at the Hana Bank Championship over the weekend was eager to make up for her dismal performance last year, when she settled for tied 41th placing.
“People say I have had a good year but I just enjoy the game and I think that’s why I’ve doing well. Every day, every hole, I just focus and try my best and I hope that my success will continue into this year’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. I didn’t perform that well here last year and it is a tough course, so I’m hoping to go out there, have fun and see if the good results follow,” said Tseng, who shrugged of any suggestions that she would run away with her ninth win of the season this week.
With the success of the 2010 tournament, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia has established itself as one of Asia’s leading golf tournaments and with the calibre of players gracing the East Course in quest for the 2011 title, it should make for a highly competitive tournament, a point which defending champion Jimin Kang gladly accepts.
“I haven’t necessarily had the best season this year. I have struggled with allergies all year and thankfully for some new medication, I think I can be at my best again. The quality of the field this week is simply there for everyone to see and hopefully, I will be a position like last year when I managed to pull of a victory,” said Kang, who is coming off her best finish of the 2011 season, when she finished tied third in Korea last week.
A stunning final round 65 saw the 31-year-old win the inaugural championship last year, defeating LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster by one stroke.
The four-day, 72-hole strokeplay event will feature the top 62 LPGA members from the LPGA Tour Official Money List, along with 10 sponsors’ invites.
