China golf drives forward with launch of new LPGA Tour

BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- As the first event of the China LPGA Tour gets ready to tee off Wednesday in the Chinese capital, many of the region's top pros are looking to make history in becoming the first winner on the new circuit.

"I think it's great and very good for China golf," said veteran Yang Hongmei during her practice round Tuesday ahead of the 50,000-U.S.-dollar Beijing Orient Pearl Championship. "In the past, I maybe lost interest because there were only two or three events a year. Suddenly, there is a tour. We all have hope, so we are encouraged and practice much harder."

Porani Chutichai, who heads a strong group of six Thais competing for the inaugural title and US$7,500 winner's purse, said any tour that provided more opportunity for Asian women professionals was a step in the right direction.

"There needs to be more tournaments, as there are for the men, and more money so we can actually play this game for a living," said the Chiang Rai native who finished third last month in the Thailand LPGA tournament in Chonburi.

Others notable in the 88-player field include China's Yang Taoli, a four time runner-up or equal runner-up last year, Korean LPGA Tour regular Lee Ga-na who is coming back from one and 1/2 years of injury, and Yue Pei-lin, the top Chinese-Taipei player who is looking to turn her game around since losing her Japan LPGA Tour card last year.

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