Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club - East Course
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pre-tournament notes
October 21, 2010
Stars come out in support of Sime Darby. Wednesday's tournament-opening press conference featured the top seven players on the Rolex Rankings, a feat not overlooked by the tournament organizers. The first-year event, which boasts a purse of $1.8 million, will tee off Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia marks the first of three consecutive events in Asia, preceding the LPGA Hana Bank Championship Presented by SK telecom in Korea and the Mizuno Classic in Japan.
World-class field in "KL." Nine of the top 10 players on the Rolex Rankings are in Malaysia this week at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Each of the top five players on the Rolex Rankings has an opportunity to claim the No. 1 spot on the Rolex Rankings this week. Full scenarios will be available later in the week.
Recari looking to keep the "Mojo" going. Last week, Spain's Beatriz Recari became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. This week, with a much bigger bank account and probably a little jetlag, she will try to become just the second player on Tour to win back-to-back events this season. "I know that I did something important last week, but I don't get to down with failures or up with success," she said. "I feel confident now. I feel very good." Recari, who jumped from 90th to 37th on the 2010 LPGA Official Money List with the victory, will play the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia on a sponsor's invite. Earlier this season, Recari was the 16th and final player to gain entry to the Mojo 6, an inaugural tournament held in Jamaica.
Rookie race continues in Malaysia. Beatriz Recari became the first rookie to win on the 2010 LPGA Tour last week, but Azahara Munoz's consistent play has given her a comfortable lead in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race. Munoz leads Gwladys Nocera, who finished second at last week's CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge by 306 points and Recari by 313. Amanda Blumenherst is in fourth place, 323 points behind Munoz. A victory is worth 150 points.
Hull has the momentum. Australian Katherine Hull followed up her second-career LPGA Tour victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco RV with another top-10 finish last week at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. Hull has five top-10's on the season including a second place finish at the RICOH Women's British Open. "Right now putting is my strength. I've made a lot of birdies and some good par putts in the past two weeks. Hopefully it will continue this week."
Miyazato looking for Asian sweep. Rolex Rankings No. 1 Ai Miyazato won the first two Asian events of the season inFebruary on the LPGA Tour. The Japanese superstar claimed back-to-back victories at the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand and the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore to begin her career-year. Miyazato, who has five victories this season, has also won in France, Mexico and the United States on the LPGA Tour.
The last time the LPGA visited Malaysia for an official event? Try the 1978 Colgate Far East Open at Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur. The winner? LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Nancy Lopez by two strokes over Silvia Bertolaccini and Kathy Whitworth.
Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club - East Course
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pre-tournament notes
October 21, 2010
Stars come out in support of Sime Darby. Wednesday's tournament-opening press conference featured the top seven players on the Rolex Rankings, a feat not overlooked by the tournament organizers. The first-year event, which boasts a purse of $1.8 million, will tee off Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia marks the first of three consecutive events in Asia, preceding the LPGA Hana Bank Championship Presented by SK telecom in Korea and the Mizuno Classic in Japan.
World-class field in "KL." Nine of the top 10 players on the Rolex Rankings are in Malaysia this week at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Each of the top five players on the Rolex Rankings has an opportunity to claim the No. 1 spot on the Rolex Rankings this week. Full scenarios will be available later in the week.
Recari looking to keep the "Mojo" going. Last week, Spain's Beatriz Recari became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. This week, with a much bigger bank account and probably a little jetlag, she will try to become just the second player on Tour to win back-to-back events this season. "I know that I did something important last week, but I don't get to down with failures or up with success," she said. "I feel confident now. I feel very good." Recari, who jumped from 90th to 37th on the 2010 LPGA Official Money List with the victory, will play the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia on a sponsor's invite. Earlier this season, Recari was the 16th and final player to gain entry to the Mojo 6, an inaugural tournament held in Jamaica.
Rookie race continues in Malaysia. Beatriz Recari became the first rookie to win on the 2010 LPGA Tour last week, but Azahara Munoz's consistent play has given her a comfortable lead in the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race. Munoz leads Gwladys Nocera, who finished second at last week's CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge by 306 points and Recari by 313. Amanda Blumenherst is in fourth place, 323 points behind Munoz. A victory is worth 150 points.
Hull has the momentum. Australian Katherine Hull followed up her second-career LPGA Tour victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco RV with another top-10 finish last week at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. Hull has five top-10's on the season including a second place finish at the RICOH Women's British Open. "Right now putting is my strength. I've made a lot of birdies and some good par putts in the past two weeks. Hopefully it will continue this week."
Miyazato looking for Asian sweep. Rolex Rankings No. 1 Ai Miyazato won the first two Asian events of the season inFebruary on the LPGA Tour. The Japanese superstar claimed back-to-back victories at the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand and the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore to begin her career-year. Miyazato, who has five victories this season, has also won in France, Mexico and the United States on the LPGA Tour.
The last time the LPGA visited Malaysia for an official event? Try the 1978 Colgate Far East Open at Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur. The winner? LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Nancy Lopez by two strokes over Silvia Bertolaccini and Kathy Whitworth.