Ochoa to headline $2 million Singapore event

SINGAPORE -- World number one Lorena Ochoa will be the star attraction at the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore next month.

Mexico's Ochoa will line up against some her of biggest rivals from the LPGA tour in the inaugural staging of the $2 million tournament at the Tanah Merah Country Club from February 28 to March 2.

Ochoa will face stiff competition in the first major showdown of the 2008 season with former world number one Annika Sorenstam and Norway's Suzann Petterssen also confirmed entries in the elite 78-strong field.

Ochoa, who dominated women's golf last season with eight LPGA victories including her first major, is looking forward to this new event on the calendar saying, "I am excited about playing in Singapore for the first time and I think the HSBC Women's Champions will be a great event on the LPGA tour.

"I have heard lots of good things about the Garden Course and I am very keen to get my 2008 season off to a strong start so I hope I can put in a good performance next month."

Rising young U.S. stars Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer will also tee up in Asia's richest-ever women's tournament.

It is modelled on the men's tournament which is held in Shanghai at the back of of the season and was won last year by American ace Phil Mickelson in a rare foray overseas.

All winners from the LPGA tour last year plus outstanding performers from the major women's golf tours and the top 30 of the world rankings have all qualified for the tournament.

Also taking part will be 15-year-old local amateur Amelia Yong who won a local qualifying tournament in Singapore last week. E-mail to a friend