KUALA LUMPUR: World number one Tseng Yani and defending champion Choi Na-yeon will headline the field for this year’s US$1.9mil Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia when it returns to the East Course of the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in October.

Besides Taiwan’s Yani and South Korean Na-yeon, currently ranked fourth in the world, other top players to confirm their participation include Americans Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr.

Yani said she is looking forward to getting back to the KLGCC and make a successful bid for her first Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia title.

“I finished one shot behind Na-yeon last year after a pretty tense fourth round. I’ll see what I can do this time around.

”It’ll be good to be back playing in Asia where the fans are great. I can usually rely on some good support in Malaysia,” Yani said in a statement released by the organisers.

Kerr, the former world No. 1 and winner of 14 LPGA Tour events, said: “I’m looking forward to the tournament. I’ve played in the Sime Darby LPGA the last two years and it’s a tournament and course I like.

“It’s going to be a strong field again but that’s what we play for. I’ll be giving it my best shot and look forward to getting out there in October.”

Speaking on behalf of the promoters, Robbie Henchman, senior vice-president and co-managing director of IMG Golf, said they were delighted that these internationally recognised players will be returning for the tournament this year.

“The quality of the field is testament to the hard work and investment from our principle sponsor Sime Darby, the LPGA Tour and our other partners,” he said.

“It will be a fantastic event and I encourage people to come and witness the world’s top players in action.”

The 72-hole stroke play, no-cut, event is the first of four consecutive tournaments in an Asian swing and takes place from Oct 11-14 at the KLGCC.

The field will be made up of 62 stars from the LPGA Tour and 10 sponsor invites, including four players from the local and regional qualifier events, which will be held on Sept 4-5.

Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketpro.com.my; Ticketpro outlets and Ticketpro hotline on +603 7880 7999.

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