KUALA LUMPUR: The world’s best female golfers assembled at TPC Kuala Lumpur today, ahead of the eighth edition of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which tees off on the East Course of TPC Kuala Lumpur later this week.

For four days, 78 players representing 22 different nations will vie for title honours and a share of the US$ 1.8 million purse in the tournament frequently referred to as Malaysia’s most fun golf event.

This is what the leading players had to say at the official players’ presentation on Tuesday.

SHANSHAN FENG 🇨🇳 [TITLEHOLDER]

“Well, as the defending champion, I’m very happy to come back again and give myself another chance at retaining my title.I really like coming back to Malaysia because of the good memories. I love the food. I love the course. Of course, the weather, too, I don’t mind. I play well here every year, so I love it. I’m not really thinking about the result. I just want to enjoy the whole week and wish the other girls would give me a chance this week.”

SO-YEON RYU 🇰🇷 [WORLD NUMBER ONE]

“Like the other girls, this is my favorite tournament as well. I have so many reasons why I love this tournament. First of all, we have the wonderful hospitality and we play a really nice golf course and we support a really good cause in breast cancer research here.

“First time I became world number one, I was definitely overwhelmed and really, really happy to achieve my dream. But 18 weeks into my reign, I’m starting to chase my next goal and everything is back to the same.

“Finishing the year as the ROLEX Player of the Year would be an achievement. The thing is, even though you have the goal in your mind, you better not think about it too much because if you think too much, you cannot really focus on the present. Right now what I’m doing is focus each shot, each hole, each tournament. So yeah, I’m just going to do my best and hopefully I can win this tournament and I’m going to take a step closer to securing the PoY award.”

ANNA NORDQVIST 🇸🇪 [EVIAN CHAMPIONSIP WINNER]
“Yeah, I’m always excited to come back to Malaysia. It’s one of my favorite stops on Tour. Sime Darby does such a good job in taking care of us. TPC Kuala Lumpur is such an amazing golf course. It’s getting better and better every year – you thought it was in perfect condition and you show up and it looks even better with more colorful flowering landscape. Played with Shanshan a couple times here. Hopefully, she will give the rest of us a chance this week.