With the inaugural Orient Ladies Open teeing off yesterday in
Xiaman, Fujian Province, local female golfers have a chance to
compete with some of the Korea's top players.
The US$200,000 event, taking place at Orient Xiamen Golf Club,
attracted more than 100 professional female golfers from China,
South Korea, the United States, Japan and Thailand.
Zhong Xiaolong and fellow Beijinger Zhang Na, lead a group of
home players and believe more chances in high-level competitions
will help improve China women's golf.
"I have been looking forward to competing with high level
international players. I will gain more experiences," said Zhang,
who has made it top 10 at the 2006 Orient Masters tour.
"Korea boasts very good women golfers. It is not easy to beat
them. But I am confident to compete on home soil and as long as I
play the best golf, I have a chance to win."
Among the 35 Koreans, Shin Ji-yai, Park Hee-young and Choi
Na-yeong, all playing on the Korean LPGA tour this year, are the
main title contenders.
Shin, 18, still studies at senior high school but has been
touted in Korea as the "next Pak Se-ri."
In her rookie season last year, she topped the KLPGA money list
with US$100,000 in earnings.
"My game has been pretty good this season and I'm counting on my
current form to end my season on a high note," said the Seoul
native.
"The conditions at this golf course are very good and its great
weather too. I hope I can come home with the trophy."
Korea's participation is part of joint efforts made by the China
Golf Association (CGA) and the Korea Ladies Professional Golf
Association (KLPGA).
Both sides have promised to further co-operation to create more
chances, such as the Xiamen tournament.
South Korean is one of the dominant forces in the world of golf.
There are now 32 South Korean players on the LPGA tour, compared to
only three players nine years ago.
(China Daily November 17, 2006)