Miyazato receives sponsor's invite for HSBC Women's Champions
HSBC Women's Champions to feature six former winners
The 2016 edition of the HSBC Women's Champions next week is turning out to be a reunion of its past champions.
Yesterday, 2010 champion Ai Miyazato, along with Englishwoman Melissa Reid, received sponsors' invites for the LPGA Tour tournament at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course from March 3 to 6.
Former world No. 1 Miyazato, who won the trophy at the Tanah Merah Country Club in 2010, is the sixth former winner to confirm her attendance for the US$1.5 million ($2.11m) tournament this year.
"I'm delighted to be returning to Singapore for the HSBC Women's Champions," said the 30-year-old Japanese, who has dropped to 159th in the world rankings.
"I have wonderful memories from 2010 and I would love to challenge for the title again.
"Sentosa is a tough course, but it's a wonderful event and I look forward to seeing all the fans there again.
OPPORTUNITY
"I'd like to extend my thanks to HSBC for this opportunity."
Previous winners Park Inbee (2015), Paula Creamer (2014), Stacy Lewis (2013), Angela Stanford (2012) and Karrie Webb (2011) have already confirmed their attendance for the prestigious competition.
World No. 1 Lydia Ko and host country qualifier Koh Sock Hwee will also be in the 63-strong field.
Shin Ji Yai, the 2009 champion who has been competing in the Japan LPGA Tour for the last two seasons, is the only golfer to be missing from the line-up of champions, with Mexican Lorena Ochoa - who won the inaugural 2008 edition - already retired.
Reid, who won the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour last year, will be playing in the event for the first time since 2012, when it was hosted by Tanah Merah.
The Sentosa Golf Club has hosted the tournament since 2013.
Reid, 28, said: "A big thank you to HSBC for this fantastic opportunity to come back to Singapore and play in the HSBC Women's Champions.
"It's a different course from the last time I played the tournament, so I'm looking forward to playing at Serapong.
CHALLENGING
"I've heard it's pretty challenging, so it will be interesting. It sounds as though there is a lot going on both on and off the golf course."
Giles Morgan, global head of sponsorship and events for HSBC, said: "These two champions have contributed a tremendous amount to the sport in their countries, and are a true inspiration to young girls around the world.
"We look forward to seeing Ai and Melissa in action at the HSBC Women's Champions and wish them all the best for the tournament."
For more information on the HSBC Women's Champions, visit the tournament website at http://www.hsbcgolf.com/womens or official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hsbcwomenschampions.
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