(21st May, Beijing) As one of the traditional events on the China LPGA Tour, the 2024 Beijing Women’s Challenge kicked off grandly on Tuesday at Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club.
Zhang Weiqiong, Secretary-General of the China Golf Association, Fan Yue, Vice President and Secretary-General of Beijing Golf Association, Li Hong, Director of Women’s Professional Events and CEO of the China LPGA Tour, Xu Zhonghu, General Manager of Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club, Yu Lang, Operation Manager of Shuya Qi, Champion of Tianjin Women’s Challenge Yuyi Ji, and Qualifying Tournament winner Kan Bunnabodee were present at the pre-tournament press conference to announce the official launch of the event.
With a total purse of RMB 500,000, the Beijing Women’s Challenge is hosted by the China Golf Association, co-organized by Beijing Golf Association, certified by the China LPGA Tour, and operated by China LPGA Tour (Beijing) Co., Ltd. The tournament is held at Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club, sponsored by Orient Golf, from May 22nd to 24th. A total of 120 players from nine countries or regions, including China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei, are participating. Among them are Yuyi Ji, the winner of the Tianjin Women’s Open, former Beijing Women’s Challenge champions Wenbo Liu and Yanhong Pan, as well as Kan Bunnabodee, a former Purdue University student and the top qualifier.
Secretary-General Zhang Weiqiong of the China Golf Association stated, “The Beijing Women’s Challenge, as a traditional event on the China LPGA Tour since 2008, has been a pillar in the development of women’s golf in China. It not only showcases the history of our women’s professional tournaments but also bears witness to the growth, downturn, and rebirth of Chinese golf. This year marks the 40th anniversary of golf in China. With a new starting point, the China Golf Association has much work to do, striving to raise more national flags and play the national anthem on international stages and hosting more tournaments. The China LPGA Tour is a cradle for nurturing our female talents, sending generations of excellent athletes to compete worldwide, bringing glory to the country and enhancing the industry. In this sense, it is a cornerstone of Chinese golf.”
Li Hong, CEO of the China LPGA Tour, provided specific examples to illustrate the Beijing Women’s Challenge’s contribution to Chinese women’s golf. She mentioned past champions like Yuting Shi, Weiwei Zhang, Xiaowen Yin, and Leqi Zeng who have gone on to compete on the LPGA and JLPGA tours, achieving impressive results. Although Yining Yin is not a previous champion, her growth here led to her major championship victory and becoming China’s second world number one golfer, all thanks to the platform established by Orient Golf International Group in 2004 and the support of sponsors like Shuya Qi.
Li Hong added, “This week, we welcome a new batch of players. Yuyi Ji, fresh from her breakthrough in Tianjin, will be aiming for consecutive victories. Yuli Shi, Yuting’s younger sister, had a great performance last year and might create a tale of sisters winning the same event. Additionally, promising rookies like Tianqi Wu, Runzhi Pang, and Zixuan Wang, who stood out in the qualifying, seek their breakthroughs. I believe these players, through the China LPGA Tour, will one day achieve victories around the world and even enter the top ten, reaching world number one status, just like their predecessors.”
The Beijing Women’s Challenge is a 54-hole stroke play tournament over three rounds. A cut will be made after two rounds. Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club, located in Daliushuying, Shunyi District, a short drive from downtown Beijing and Capital International Airport, is known for its towering trees, serene environment, and northern landscape. This week, the course measures 6,483 yards with a par of 72.
General Manager Xu Zhonghu of Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club remarked, “Orient Pearl has always stayed true to its mission to become a championship-level course. In recent years, we have continuously upgraded the course to provide the best playing conditions and services for players. From the landscape, tee boxes to the greens, every detail reflects our passion for the game and care for the athletes.”
During the press conference, the China LPGA Tour presented a gratitude plaque to official partner Shuya Qi, a high-end orthodontic brand that has supported the growth of women golfers and the tour since last year. At the Beijing Women’s Challenge, Shuya Qi has set up an oral examination station to professionally and caringly safeguard the power behind every player’s smile.