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The Lexus Cup Returns to Singapore Where It All Began

IMG
2008-07-24 20:33 1960

SINGAPORE, July 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Lexus Cup 2008 organisers revealed today that the final event of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) season will be returning to Singapore where the tournament was inaugurated. Singapore Island Country Club (Bukit) will play host to the 4th edition of this prestigious women's team event on its renowned Bukit Course, one of only three golf courses designed by legendary James Braid outside the United Kingdom.

From 28 - 30 November 2008, 24 of the world's top women golfers will form Team International and Team Asia, pitting their skills against each other over three exciting days of match play golf in foursomes, fourballs and singles for bragging rights by winning the prestigious Lexus Cup.

Team International will be looking to take revenge on a devastating loss in 2007 when they lost by a whopping margin of 9 and 15. Annika Sorenstam will return for the 4th year to captain Team International and aim to avenge the defeat in her final LPGA event of the season.

"I am looking forward to captaining the Lexus Cup this year and the high quality of players that return year on year is a great testament that this event is growing in stature and attracting the best players today. It is a bittersweet year for me as I step away from competitive golf and focus on other facets of my life that I want to accomplish such as getting married, starting a family, growing the game of golf, giving back to others, and the expansion of the ANNIKA brand of businesses," said Sorenstam.

"It is apt that the Lexus Cup returns to Singapore where it first began. We will be working on improving our game and hope to give Team Asia a run for their money and regain the title we first won here in 2005."

Sorenstam needs no introduction in the world of golf and has dominated the LPGA since her rookie year in 1994. Her 72 LPGA career victories put her career winnings at more than US$22 million, the first LPGA player ever to surpass that mark. Sorenstam announced earlier in the year that she will be stepping away from competitive golf at the end of the season.

Team Asia will see the return of sophomore captain Se Ri Pak. The Korean golf icon led her team to a commanding win over Team International last year and this time around, they will hope to do the same in Singapore.

"It was an amazing feeling to hoist the Lexus Cup trophy last year with my team mates and I am thrilled to be invited to be captain again this year," commented Pak. "We will be looking to retain our title and extend our hold of the Lexus Cup so we hope all the fans come out to support us and catch some great golfing action."

Pak continues to be a real force and mentor on the LPGA Tour boasting 24 career LPGA victories including five majors. A trailblazer for developing golf in her home country of Korea, Pak became the first South Korean player to be inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame last year.

With an earlier tournament date this year, the deadline for qualifying will be at the Korea Championship Presented by Sema Sports (31 October - 2 November, 2008).

Lexus has renewed their sponsorship of this prestigious event and are thrilled that the Lexus Cup is returning to Singapore. Vince Socco, Senior Vice President, Marketing Planning Division, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific said, "It is a very exciting time for the Lexus Cup as we renew our commitment to the tournament and the LPGA. Year one was really a test bed to see how the world would react to a match play format such as the Lexus Cup and the feedback was incredible. Year two and three saw the calibre of players get better and better and the prestige of the tournament continued to grow. Hosting the Lexus Cup back in Singapore is really a homecoming for us as this is where the tournament first set its roots.

"As a Lexus-sponsored player, we have seen Annika Sorenstam dominate the ladies game and she leaves on top to pursue other things in life. We truly hope that fans will come cheer her on as she attempts to wrestle back the trophy from Team Asia and step away from competitive golf on a high note."

"The LPGA is enjoying a time of tremendous growth and popularity due to the high level of golf and excitement our players bring to the game," added Chris Higgs, LPGA Senior Vice President and COO. "We are constantly encouraging women to take up the sport all over the world and with the Lexus Cup being one of the pioneer events in Asia, its success has led the way to additional LPGA events being staged in the region."

It is fitting that the Lexus Cup returns to its birthplace and is being hosted at Singapore's first golf club, the Singapore Island Country Club. The golf club boasts a rich heritage going back to the year 1891 and has a reputation for being the most prestigious club in the country.

Qualification Criteria

The top four available players from the Rolex Rankings followed by the top four available players from the LPGA Official Money List qualify for each team. A further two captain's picks and two sponsor's exemptions are selected for each team.

About The Lexus Cup

The Lexus Cup 2008 is the 4th edition of an annual prestigious ladies team event pitting 12 leading international players against 12 leading players from Asia. The victory table stands at two for Team Asia and one for Team International. Visit http://www.lexuscup.com for more details.

Media contact:

Sheila Rasu

Fulford Public Relations

Tel: +65-6324-2269

Mobile: +65-9828-7426

Email: srasu@fulfordpr.com

Source: IMG
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