World’s top 6 head HSBC Women’s Champions field

SINGAPORE — A superstar showdown is on the cards at next month’s HSBC Women’s Champions, with the US$1.4 million (S$1.86 million) tournament at Sentosa Golf Club to feature the world’s top six women golfers.

World No 1 Park Inbee, New Zealand’s golfing phenom Lydia Ko (No 2), 2013 champion Stacy Lewis (3), Feng Shanshan (4), Suzann Pettersen (5) and Michelle Wie (6) will battle for the winner’s trophy and cheque of US$210,000 in the eighth edition of the tournament.

Defending champion and newlywed Paula Creamer will also draw the fans, particularly after her dramatic victory at Serapong last year when she sank a 75-foot eagle putt — subsequently named the shot of the year 2014 — to clinch a sudden-death playoff victory against Spain’s Azahara Munoz.

Four-time Major winner Park is on the hunt for her first title in Singapore, and eyeing the March 5-8 event. “This is one of the tournaments I really look forward to each year,” said Park. “Singapore is a fantastic city and the tournament has a ‘Major’ feel to it with HSBC putting on a world-class event.

“I finished T4 (joint-fourth) last year and know the course suits my game, so hopefully I can play well this year as it’s a title I would love to win to get my season off to the best possible start.”

Lydia, the reigning LPGA Rolex Rookie of the Year, will also return to Singapore after a stellar 2014 season that saw her becoming the Tour’s youngest winner and millionaire with three victories, two runner-up spots, and nine finishes in the top 10. The 17-year-old will be gunning for her first Singapore win after finishing 15th last year.

Former HSBC Women’s Champions winner Lewis wants to reclaim the title she won in 2013 after finishing a disappointing joint-40th last year.

Said Lewis: “I would like to win this again. It is a great tournament and so many of the world’s best players will be there again in March, so I am excited to get back to Singapore to see if I can repeat my performance of 2013!” LOW LIN FHOONG