The China Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour Championship teed off at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Haikou, Hainan province on Thursday. The tournament boasts a total prize pool of 800,000 yuan ($110,000).

Formerly known as the CLPGA Tour, this year's event has been officially renamed the Women's China Tour Championship, showcasing the China Golf Association's commitment to enhancing the quality of women's golf tournaments.

This championship has attracted 102 players from 10 countries and regions. The competition features a 54-hole stroke play format with a cut line set after two rounds.

During a news conference held on Wednesday, Wei Qingfeng, secretary-general of the China Golf Association, announced that preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have been fully launched. The new national team is being assembled, with the association having established its first national youth team. "Plans are underway to develop support programs for young athletes aged 19 to 25. In the realm of golf talent development, the refinement gained through competitions is particularly crucial, underscoring the significance that the Chinese Golf Association places on the construction of professional tours," he said.

"This is a golf course where we can probably go pretty low, a lot of birdie opportunities," said the 23-year-old Ye Lei.

Pan Zhongguang, chairman of the China LPGA Tour, said that this year marks the 16th season of the women's tour, and compared to the inaugural event in 2008, the quantity and quality of Chinese female professional golfers have significantly improved. This progress is attributed to a series of golf outreach activities by the China Golf Association. Looking ahead, the Women's Tour aims to strengthen its foundation in independently certified events while actively establishing connections with golf tours worldwide. "The focus is on both bringing international events to China and expanding opportunities for Chinese golfers globally," he said.

The China LPGA Tour, established on Dec 18, 2008, is the only women's professional golf tour permitted and sanctioned by the China Golf Association.

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