LPGA TOUR MOVES TO KUALA LUMPUR FOR SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA
Week Three of the LPGA’s fall Asian Swing takes the Tour to Kuala Lumpur and the eighth Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. Seventy-eight of the world’s best players will take to TPC Kuala Lumpur’s East Course, led by 43 of the top 50 players on the 2017 LPGA Tour Monday List, including World No. 1 So Yeon Ryu and World No. 2 Sung Hyun Park.
In 2016, Shanshan Feng took a three-stroke victory over Suzann Pettersen for the first of her two consecutive LPGA Tour victories and her second Sime Darby win. Both players are in the field this week, as is 2015 Sime Darby champion Jessica Korda and previous runners-up Lydia Ko (2015), Stacy Lewis(2015), Pornanong Phatlum (2014) and Yani Tseng (2011). Also in this week’s field is Eun-Hee Ji, who captured last week’s Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship presented by CTBC for her first LPGA Tour victory since the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open Championship.
After the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, the LPGA Tour heads to Japan and the People’s Republic of China before going back to the United States of America for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA
- This is the eighth playing of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia
- The tournament is held on the East Course of TPC Kuala Lumpur; two weeks ago, the West Course was host to the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic
- The seven Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia champions come from three countries – the People’s Republic of China (Shanshan Feng, 2014, 2016), the Republic of Korea (Na Yeon Choi, 2011; Jimin Kang, 2010; Inbee Park, 2012) and the United States of America (Jessica Korda, 2015; Lexi Thompson, 2013)
- Past champions Shanshan Feng and Jessica Korda are in this week’s field
- The tournament’s low 18-hole score is 9-under 61, by Amy Yang in the second round in 2013
- The tournament’s low 72-hole score is 19-under 265, by Lexi Thompson in 2013
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DEFENDING CHAMPION SHANSHAN FENG
- Won the 2016 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia for her first LPGA Tour victory since the same event in 2014
- Has seven career LPGA Tour victories, including the 2017 LPGA Volvik Championship
- In 2017, has nine top-10 finishes, including last week at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship presented by CTBC, where she finished T3
- Also has six career JLPGA wins and seven career Ladies European Tour victories, including four of the last five Omega Dubai Ladies Masters
- Won the bronze medal in golf at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
WHO’S IN THE FIELD
2017 LPGA Winners (16):
Shanshan Feng (LPGA Volvik Championship), Brooke Henderson (Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open), Ariya Jutanugarn (Manulife LPGA Classic), Eun-Hee Ji (Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship presented by CTBC), Danielle Kang (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship), Cristie Kerr (LOTTE Championship presented by Hershey), Sei Young Kim (Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Match Play presented by Aeromexico and Delta), Mi Hyang Lee (Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open), Mirim Lee (Kia Classic), Stacy Lewis (Cambia Portland Classic), Brittany Lincicome (Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic), Anna Nordqvist (Bank of Hope Founders Cup, The Evian Championship), Haru Nomura (Volunteers of America Texas Shootout presented by JTBC), Sung Hyun Park (U.S. Women’s Open Championship, CP Women’s Open), So Yeon Ryu (ANA Inspiration, Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G), Amy Yang (Honda LPGA Thailand)
2017 Solheim Cup Participants (17)
Team USA (10): Austin Ernst, Danielle Kang, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lang, Brittany Lincicome, Gerina Piller, Lizette Salas, Michelle Wie, Angel Yin
Team Europe (7): Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull, Karine Icher, Caroline Masson, Anna Nordqvist, Madelene Sagstrom, Jodi Ewart Shadoff
2017 LPGA Rookies (9):
Aditi Ashok, Nicole Broch Larsen, Peiyun Chien, Laura Gonzalez Escallon, Nelly Korda, Olafia Kristinsdottir, Sung Hyun Park, Madelene Sagstrom, Angel Yin
THE FINAL STRETCH IN THE RACE TO THE CME GLOBE
The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia is the 30th event in the season-long Race to the CME Globe, which culminates at the CME Group Tour Championship in November. With only four more chances for players to earn valuable points, a good finish in Malaysia could make a big difference in earning a trip to Naples, Fla. – and a chance for $1 million.
World No. 3 Lexi Thompson currently leads the standings with 3,266 points, followed by World No. 1 So Yeon Ryu (2,966 points) and World No. 2 Sung Hyun Park (2,919 points). World No. 11 Brooke Henderson (2,675 points) and World No. 4 In Gee Chun (2,475) wrap up the top five through the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship. World No. 14Cristie Kerr vaulted four spots to No. 7 following her eighth-place finish at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship and is only 392 points out of fifth place.
In 2017, the reset points for the Race to the CME Globe will be modified slightly. As a result of these modifications:
- The top five finishers entering Naples will control their own destiny at the CME Group Tour Championship
- If a player in the top five wins in Naples, she will also win the $1M CME Globe
- The top 12 finishers entering Naples will have a mathematical chance to win the $1M CME Globe
- Please note that previously, the top three controlled their destiny and top nine had a mathematical chance
CME GROUP CARES WEEKENDS EAGLES UPDATE AFTER SWINGING SKIRTS TAIWAN LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP
CME Group Cares Weekend is a season-long charitable giving program that turns eagles into donations. For each eagle recorded during weekend play (Saturday and Sunday) throughout the 2017 LPGA Tour season, CME Group donates $1,000 to the program’s total donation count. The money raised will go towards a charitable pool and be split evenly between Wounded Warrior Project® and Bright Pink®.
Players scored three eagles over the weekend at the 2017 Swinging Skirts Taiwan LPGA Championship presented by CTBC, raising another $3,000 for charity. This brings the total to 261 eagles on the year, which translates to $264,000 raised. LPGA rookie Angel Yin leads the charitable efforts with eight eagles, followed by Sei Young Kim, Nelly Korda and Amy Yang with seven apiece.
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