Kuala Lumpur: The hottest golfer in the world right now will return to defend her title at the fourth edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia this October 10-13.
World number one Park In-bee of South Korea will headline what has traditionally been a star-studded field at the challenging East Course of Sime Darby’s signature Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
The field of seventy-two players, comprising of the top 62 players available from the LPGA and ten invites, will be further motivated by a fatter US$2 million purse – up from US$1.9 million in 2012 – making it one of the most lucrative tournaments on the LPGA’s autumn swing.
Park, whose form in the first half of the year has seen her win no less than six tournaments to date, including three consecutive Majors, expressed her excitement in retaining her crown on Malaysian soil.
“Looking back, last year’s victory was a real turning point on the road to world number one – it was the first time I’d won two tournaments in one year and it gave me renewed confidence in my game going into 2013.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Malaysia, competing against the best in our field with some of the most welcoming and supportive fans we see in all our tournaments around the world,” said Park, who overcame compatriot Na Yeon Choi by two strokes after a riveting final round battle last year.
With the event’s future secured until 2016, Sime Darby Berhad hopes its continued sponsorship of the event will continue to grow popularity of women’s golf in Malaysia and the region, from the grassroots level up.
“We are once again delighted to play a pivotal role in one of the region’s leading golf tournaments, the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Now into our fourth year as title sponsor, we are pleased to offer golf fans in Malaysia a treat of the world’s best in women’s golf competing here in the heart of Malaysia,” said Sime Darby Foundation chairman Tun Musa Hitam.
“Our support of the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia goes hand in hand with our continued contribution to the development of sports in Malaysia,” he added.
