The Field
The five events that make up the Asia Swing are unique, with smaller fields of around 70 to 80 players, versus a typical LPGA Tour event, which has a field of around 150 players.
Each of the Asia Swing events include anywhere between 46 and 63 LPGA Tour members, with the remaining members of the field coming from the various Asian Tours and sponsor exemptions.
Next week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia has a field of 75 players, 63 from the LPGA Tour and 12 sponsors exemptions.
You’re Invited
12 players received sponsor invitations to this year’s event, including six members of the LPGA Tour as well as two amateurs. Invites include the LPGA’s Christina Kim, Ryann O’Toole, Paula Reto, Jennifer Rosales, Kelly Tan and Cheyenne Woods. Amateur Aditi Ashok of India earned her way into the field by winning a loyal qualifier and will be the first Indian player to play in the event. Malaysian amateur Nur Dirriyah also makes her first start in Malaysia. Ainil Baker, Michelle Koh, Cindy Lee-Pridgen and Melissa Reid of the European Solheim Cup team round out the sponsor invites for 2015.
Top Ranked Players
37 of the top-50 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings are in the field in Malaysia including World No.1 Inbee Park, No.2 Lydia Ko, No.3 Stacy Lewis, No.4 So Yeon Ryu and No.5 Lexi Thompson. Noticeably absent is the 10th ranked player in the world and U.S. Women’s Open Champion In Gee Chun, No.14 Brittany Lincicome, No.15 Cristie Kerr and No.16 Brooke Henderson.
Solheim Represents
19 of the 24 players who were members of this year’s Solheim Cup teams are in the field including Team U.S.A’s Paula Creamer, Brittany Lang, Alison Lee, Stacy Lewis, Gerina Piller, Morgan Pressel, Lizette Salas, Angela Stanford, Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie.
Team Europe’s Carlota Ciganda, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull, Karine Icher, Caroline Masson, Catriona Matthew, Anna Nordqvist, Suzann Pettersen and Melissa Reid are also in the field.
Keep Coming Back for More
Three of the five former champions return in hopes of capturing yet another title in Malaysia. Defending champion Shanshan Feng, Lexi Thompson and Inbee Park are in the field, but 2011 champion Na Yeon Choi and inaugural winner Jimin Kang will not be playing.
Giving It Another Shot
17 of the top-20 on the leaderboard in 2014 return this year hoping to finish this time with a win, including runner-up Pornanong Phatlum and third place finisher Pernilla Lindberg.
The Malaysian Angels
The name says it all. Five players native to Malaysia make up the group the tournament has dubbed the Malaysian Angels, including the country’s top ranked player and member of the LPGA Tour, Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh, Ainil Baker, Cindy Lee-Pridgen and Nur Durriyah.
)
)
)
)
