LPGA announces Sherwood Taipei the title sponsor for the inaugural Taiwan Open
The Sherwood Taipei resort has been announced as the official title sponsor for the first ever Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association (LPGA) event taking place in Taiwan. The US $2 million Sherwood Taiwan Open will be held in the picturesque par-72 Sunrise
Golf and Country Club in the Taoyuan County from 20th to 23rd
October. The prize money set for this event is the highest in the women’s sports history of Chinese Taipei.
The title sponsor is spending an additional amount of US $6.7 million for the extensive renovations of the club, guest rooms and courses on the resort for the four day event. The Chairman of the Sunrise Golf and Country Club, Hsu Tien-ya, hoped that the
event will prove beneficial in attracting new players to Golf in Taiwan. "We're ready to stage the best ever tournament to market Taiwan and to welcome new stars in the sport," he said.
The officials of LPGA, Golf Association of Republic of China (GAROC) and the event promoter IMG are also have high expectations from the event. Moreover, the Mayor of Taoyuan County, John Wu, was overwhelmed with the decision of holding the inaugural LPGA
event of the country in his town. "Taoyuan County is very honoured to bring the first LPGA-sanctioned event to Taoyuan, where the County's pride Tseng Yani was born, and also trained at the host venue, Sunrise Golf & Country Club," said John Wu.
The field players in the tournament will consist of 80 players and 10 local players will be given an exemption. The world’s top players are expected to take part in the home ground of the world number one Yani Tseng. The 22-year-old Taiwanese rose to dominance
three weeks ago when she toppled Jiyai Shin of South Korea from the top spot to wear the crown of the best female golfer in the world. Tseng has won four tournaments so far this year including a hat-trick with two tournaments in Australia and the Honda LPGA
Thailand. “As an LPGA player from Taiwan, I know the influence this event can bring and how it will let the world see Taiwan and let more people know Taiwan," she said at a press conference. Tseng grew up in Taoyuan and practiced fiercely for several years
at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club before turning professional. She acknowledged the fact that she would have an advantage of knowing the course well but insisted that it is a difficult course.
Jiyai Shin, world number two; Na-Yeon Choi, world number three, of South Korea; Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer of the United States and world number four Suzann Pettersen have already confirmed their participation in at the Sherwood Taiwan Open.
Tags: