Top women players ‘walk on water’ in singapore

Four of the world’s top women golfers “walked on water” in their business suits today to launch the sixth HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore.

The spectacular event was held at Marina Bay with World Number One Yani Tseng, defending champion Angela Stanford, and two other world-class golfers, Suzann Pettersen and Paula Creamer.

The golfers, armed with both golf and business paraphernalia, looked as if they were “walking on water” in their business suits, an illustration of HSBC’s support for successful women around the world – in golf and in business.

Hoping to achieve her dream of winning this year’s tournament is Tseng, who said: “Singapore is always a highlight for me and it’s great to be part of a launch like this which gives us the opportunity to do something different and inspiring – I’ve spoken to some of the other girls and we definitely mean business this year.

“I am excited about this year because according to my mum, the year of the Snake will be a good year for Dragon babies like me. I know all the best players in the world are here but I am going to give it everything to win.”

The annual tournament, which began in 2008, takes place from 28 February to 3 March at its new home, The Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

Over the years, the US$1.4 million tournament has attracted a stellar field of players and the 2013 edition continues to attract the best in women’s golf with 63 of the world’s elite female golfers in Singapore, including 38 of the top 40 on the LPGA money list.

 “This year marks HSBC’s tenth anniversary as a major international sponsor of golf – in that time we have been involved in 30 tournaments and 1,000 golf days and helped thousands of children worldwide get involved in the game of golf,” said Giles Morgan, HSBC’s Global Head of Sponsorship and Events. “

Enthused Stanford, winner of the HSBC Women’s Champions 2012, said: “It is fantastic to know that we will have the chance to play in Singapore for another three years. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to competing at the course in Sentosa to defend my title.”

This year’s launch sees the four golfers arriving on a boat in business attire with the bustling Singapore skyline in the background to illustrate the city’s position as one of the world’s leading financial centres.

Commenting on HSBC’s support of this week’s Women’s Forum 2013 and Women in Finance 2013, World No 7 Pettersen said: “HSBC is a great supporter of women in golf and women in business generally and today is an illustration of that. Singapore is one of the highlights of the year for me – the city, the golf, the culture, the business and the people mark it out as a really special place.”

*For more information on the HSBC Women’s Champions 2013, visit the tournament website at http://www.hsbcgolf.com