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E-mail China Daily, June 5, 2024
The Singapore Ladies Masters is set to make its much-anticipated return to the Laguna National Golf Resort Club this month.
Featuring a total of 132 players, including 12 elite amateurs vying for top honors in the China Ladies Professional Golf Association (CLPGA) event, the Singapore Ladies Masters is scheduled to tee off on June 14.
The Singapore Ladies Masters is the sixth leg of this season's CLPGA Tour and boasts a prize purse of $100,000. The winner will receive $15,000.
At the inaugural event last July, Singapore's amateur standout Shannon Tan delighted the home crowd by outshining her seasoned professional counterparts to claim the championship.
With the tournament offering valuable Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings points, Shannon, who only turned pro in January, gained a crucial advantage in her quest to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Following her breakthrough victory, Shannon's career has been on a remarkable trajectory, highlighted by her recent triumph at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in February, where she secured her maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) title.
Currently placed 202 in the Rolex Rankings — a career high — Shannon also comfortably sits in the 48th spot of the Olympic Golf Rankings, virtually assuring her of a place in the 60-woman field at the Paris Games.
The remarkable tale of Shannon's accomplishment in the past year is sure to inspire all competitors — whether seasoned professionals or budding amateurs — as they prepare for the upcoming tournament.
Lyn Yeo, tournament organizer and founder of LLD Sports said: "The Singapore Ladies Masters was the launch pad for Shannon Tan, as she deservedly went on to make an impact on the international stage, especially with her win at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open.
"As we look forward to the return of the Singapore Ladies Masters in June, I'm excited to give our local girls another opportunity to test themselves and unleash their full potential against some of the best players from China and the region."
Home fans can look forward to watching the youngest golfer in the event's history, 13-year-old Sydnie Ng, in action, who some believe could be "another Shannon in the making".
Ng, discovered through the Singapore Junior Development Tour (SJDT), demonstrated her abilities by clinching victory at the Future Champions Golf (FCG) World Championship in California last July.
That win placed her alongside esteemed champions such as Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, a two-time Major winner, former world No 1 and 2021 ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit, and Japan's Yuka Saso, the 2021 and 2024 US Women's Open champion.
A line-up of CLPGA elites, including Ji Yuai and Sui Xiang, who, respectively, finished third and fourth in the Tour's overall points standings last year, have also confirmed their participation in the 54-hole showdown. This sets the stage for a thrilling clash against up-and-coming international players.
Exemptions have also been granted to leading players from the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship, also known as the Queen Sirikit Cup.
Ji will be determined to make amends after narrowly losing the title to Shannon by one shot last year. She had the opportunity to force a playoff, but missed her birdie attempt.
Sui will also make her second appearance at the Singapore Ladies Masters. She had a strong season last year, securing her second CLPGA title at the Tianjin Ladies Challenge and adding two runner-up finishes. Sui also made the cut in all 11 of her outings.
The SLM remains committed to fostering the growth of women's golf by inviting promising amateurs from the Asia Pacific region and providing them a prestigious platform for competition and exposure.
The top 60 finishers (including ties) in the first two rounds will advance to the final round on June 16.
