Top female golfers head to Xiamen
XIAMEN: China's top female golfers look to wrap up a wonderful year of golf in victorious fashion by taking the title of the year-end Orient China Ladies Open, which tips off today in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.
With Zhang Na taking her JLPGA debut season by storm with five stage wins and teenager Feng Shanshan surprisingly carding the qualification into next year's USLPGA tour, the two most popular local stars now lead a group of the nation's best golfers to battle for the title, though they'll face strong competitors from South Korea.
"I am coming here to win," said Zhang, the world No 27. "I spent most of my time in Japan this year and I hope this tournament on home soil will be a perfect ending to a wonderful year.
"I know South Korea won last year's tournament and I hope I could be the first Chinese to pick up the trophy," added Zhang, whose four wins in the JLPGA tour place her fourth in the overall prize-money rankings.
The $250,000 Orient China Ladies Open, which was set up last year, is the country's first national Open Championship and will be the finale for the four-stage China Ladies Tour.
Zhang's compatriot Feng, 16, is another star to watch. Feng, the first woman from China to earn a place on the LPGA, finished 11th at last year's China Ladies Open, the highest place among the amateurs. Now the same event will be her first appearance since turning pro.
"I evened the par last year. After a year in the US, I am confident to have a better result. I cannot wait to compete in my first game as a professional. A win would be the best gift to celebrate my turning pro," Feng said.
The teen golfer is also looking forward to challenging 19-year-old South Korean Shin Ji-yai who is currently ranked ninth in the world.
(China Daily 12/14/2007 page22)
