Sorenstam sees Asia growth as LPGA arrives in China

Source: Agencies  |   2008-10-24  |     ONLINE EDITION

TEN-TIMES major winner Annika Sorenstam believes the arrival of the LPGA in China this weekend is just the start of a much greater involvement of the world's most populous nation in professional women's golf.

The US$1.8 million Grand China Air tournament, which started today at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club in Haikou, is the first LPGA event to be held in mainland China but Sorenstam is certain it will not be the last.

"We're seeing obviously a lot more of an international tour and we're seeing a lot more players from Asia," the 38-year-old Swede said in a news release.

"If I could guess what's going to happen the next five years to 10 years, we are going to continue to see a growth from this part of the world and I'm sure we are going to see a lot more Chinese players joining the LPGA and achieving success around the world.

"And I think this week, playing here, it's a step in the right direction, and really showing that the LPGA is a global Tour.

"That's one of the reasons why I want to support this tournament. And I think we are going to see a lot more events in this area and, again, some more players joining the tour."

While this weekend's 54-hole tournament marks the start of a new era for the LPGA, Sorenstam is in the process of bringing the curtain down on her illustrious career.

The winner of 72 LPGA events with more than US$22 million in career prize money, the Florida resident announced in May that she would "step away" from competitive golf at the end of 2008.

Before she departs though, Sorenstam said would like to add to her extraordinary tally of titles, starting in the capital of the island dubbed "China's Hawaii" this weekend.

"I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to the next few tournaments," she said.

"I know it's been different since I announced my ... plans. I haven't really played as well as I wanted, so it would be nice to finish with a few wins and kind of leave it at that."