SINGAPORE -- HSBC were joined today in Singapore by top female golfers Yani Tseng, Suzann Pettersen, Cristie Kerr and Natalie Gulbis as they announced their attendance at the HSBC Women's Champions at the Tanah Merah Country Club from 5th to 8th March, 2009.

Gulbis, Kerr and Pettersen appeared in the inaugural event and after solid seasons on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, they will be eager to take the title and become Champion of Champions.

Joining them and making her first appearance will be Taiwanese rookie Yani Tseng who is flying high on the LPGA rankings after capturing her first Major at the McDonald's LPGA Championship in June along with five second places and four more inside the top ten.

"I have had a great first season on Tour and I am very excited about taking part in the HSBC Women's Champions next year. Winning my first Major in June was a brilliant experience for me and I would love to win this event too", said Tseng at the press conference.

Suzann Pettersen of Norway makes the grade for a second time following her 2007 Major victory at the LPGA Championship and her top ten positions in both the LPGA Official Money List and Rolex Rankings. She has come very close to claiming trophies this year and the HSBC Women's Champions could be the time to do it as she kicks off the new season.

She said, "My season has been quite consistent and I have recovered from the injuries that dogged me at the end of last year. I am feeling good and determined to get back on top of the score board soon."

Cristie Kerr is enjoying her best season on Tour with a victory at the Safeway Classic in August and she currently holds the number seven spot on the Rolex Rankings (as of 24th November).

"I have definitely found some form in the second half of this season and I am hoping I can keep the momentum going to the HSBC Women's Champions here next year", said Kerr at the Tanah Merah Country Club.

Natalie Gulbis finished in the top twenty of the field in the inaugural event. She will be eager to climb up the leader board and kick start her 2009 season after mixed fortunes this year with a top-ten finish at the RICOH Women's British Open her highest position to date.

"I am hoping to return to Singapore for the HSBC Women's Champions in March," said Gulbis. "It was an amazing inaugural event last year and definitely a great addition to the LPGA calendar."

CEO of HSBC Singapore, Guy Harvey Samuel, welcomed the girls to town and expressed his delight at their confirmation for next year's tournament saying, "The inaugural event was a global success and HSBC is delighted that we are able to bring these world class golfers back for a second year and that they are supporting us once again to make it the best female golfing event in the region.

"HSBC is committed to supporting golf on all levels and the continuation and growth of this event further cements our vision of being champions of golf worldwide."

Chris Higgs, LPGA Senior Vice President and COO, reiterated what he said immediately after the event in March that it is one of the LPGA's top five tournaments. "They deliver a world-class golf tournament. There are a lot of companies and events that hope to, aspire to and try to deliver it. The proof is in the delivery and HSBC delivers."

The second staging of Asia's richest ladies golf tournament will feature the top women in the world with reigning Champion Lorena Ochoa who also committed to making a return to the Garden City next year.

Robbie Henchman, Senior Vice President of IMG added, "We are delighted to welcome back defending champion Lorena and the other top players to the HSBC Women's Champions and preparations are well underway for another fantastic event at Tanah Merah Country Club.

"The players have quickly adopted this event as a priority on their schedule and it has certainly lived up to expectations of being considered as Asia's major on the LPGA Tour."

The qualification criteria mirrors that of the men's HSBC Champions, with winners from around the world invited to compete for the coveted "Champion of Champions" title. Winners on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, leading money winners from the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA), Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, Ladies European Tour (LET), Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG), Duramed FUTURES Tour, Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) and the top player from the continent of Africa will qualify, making this the most international and impressive women's field ever assembled in Asia.

The HSBC Women's Champions 2009 will boast a prize money of US$2 million (US$300,000 to the winner), the largest purse for a women's event in Asia. The HSBC Women's Champions, sanctioned by the LPGA, will be played over 72 holes of individual stroke play with a field of 78 golfers.

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