FINAL FIELD FEATURING 62 LPGA STARS CONFIRMED FOR SIMEDARBY LPGA MALAYSIA 2013
Title sponsor Sime Darby Foundation and event organisers IMG have today confirmed the final field of 62 LPGA players that will arrive in the nation's capital next week to participate in the prestigious Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
Leading the field, which includes the nine out of top ten professional golfers according to the Official Rolex Rankings (30 Sept 2013) and the LPGA Money List, will be World No.1 and defending champion Inbee Park. Enthusing about her imminent return to the Malaysian capital earlier this week, Park commented, "I'm having a great year this year, and obviously winning last year in Malaysia really helped me a lot on tour this year, and I am just really looking forward to coming back as defending champion. I enjoy everything about Malaysia - the nice people, good food, the golf course - it's all great".
Chairman of Sime Darby Foundation, Tun Musa Hitam, said, "Malaysia is going to experience a very exciting golf tournament of world class which is the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. We are privileged to have them on Malaysian soil for the fourth time at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club."
LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan added "Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia has continued to attract the very best in women's golf to Malaysia. With the Sime Darby Foundation once again increasing the prize-purse to US$2 million, we are looking forward to a fantastic week. I am pleased to announce to golf fans around the world that the world's best women golfers will be in action next week in Kuala Lumpur."
Previously announced LPGA players who will be contesting for the trophy together with Park are Americans Stacy Lewis, Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer, South Koreans Na Yeon Choi, So Yeon Ryu and Jiyai Shin, Japan's Ai Miyazato and Chie Arimura, and Spaniard Beatriz Recari. They will be joined by Norway's Suzann Pettersen, China's Shanshan Feng, Australian Karrie Webb and Taiwan's Yani Tseng.
The tournament's fourth edition will feature a new US$2 million prize fund, making it the equal highest purse event on the Asian circuit. The 62 LPGA players competing in the 72-hole stroke play, no cut event, will be joined by 10 sponsor invites including Malaysians Ainil Johani, Aretha Pan, Cindy Lee-Pridgen and Michelle Koh.
