Christabel Goh wins coveted place in HSBC’s Women’s Champions at local qualifying event

Contributed by Shane Neubronner

Tanah Merah Country Club, Thursday, January 27, 2011 — Christabel Goh has claimed the Host Country Invite to play in the HSBC Women’s Champions 2011 after winning the Local Qualifying Tournament today at the Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC).

The 22-year-old, who led the 13-strong field after yesterday’s first round on the Garden Course, earned her place at next month’s showdown with the world’s top professional golfers after adding a final round score of 79 to yesterday’s 77 (gross 156) to finish just one stroke ahead of Amelia Yong and Joey Poh.

All three players were in the same flight, which meant that the contest went down to the final hole. However, in the end, Goh, who recently turned professional, held on to come out on top.

“I am so happy to have won after a difficult two days and to now have the chance to play with the stars from the LPGA Tour. Playing with Amelia and Joey is always a challenge and it was no different today. I’m really looking forward to the tournament next month and I would like to thank HSBC for the opportunity. I am also grateful to TMCC and my father for their continuous support”, said Goh.

Poh, who won the 2009 and 2010 Host Country Invites was looking to win for the third time whilst Yong, the winner in 2008, was also vying to claim the coveted spot to play in the prestigious tournament again.

Said Yong about the close finish: “It was really close right towards the end and I was hoping to return to the HSBC Women’s Champions, which is one of my top goals. However, Christabel was just too good today and I wish her the best of luck at the tournament next month.”

The runner-up from last year’s edition of the tournament, Ji Jiali, finished in fourth with a total score of 160 whilst fifth-placed Koh Sock Hwee finished a further two strokes behind (Gross 162).

Alex Hungate, CEO of HSBC Singapore, congratulated Goh on her performance, saying: “As a bank, HSBC prides itself on opening up a world of opportunities for people and this is a great opportunity for Christabel Goh. No one expects the winner of the qualifying tournament to go out there and outperform the best female golfers in the world, but if she does she will make headlines around the world. HSBC is proud to give her and Singapore golf this opportunity and we wish her every success.”

Edwin Khoo, Organising Chairman of HSBC Women’s Champions 2011, TMCC, congratulated Goh on behalf of the host venue. He said: “We have seen an exciting two days of golf and it is wonderful indeed to see how much the standard of golf has improved here in Singapore. We congratulate Christabel Goh on her achievement and we will support her in her preparations for the HSBC Women’s Champions.”

TMCC will provide Goh with complimentary rounds on the Garden Course to help prepare her for the four-day stroke play tournament which will take place from 24 to 27 February. The fourth edition of ‘Asia’s Major’ will feature a field of 63 golfers battling it out for the ‘Champion of Champions’ trophy and an increased prize purse of US$1.4 million

Players qualify for the HSBC Women’s Champions 2011 by winning tournaments on the LPGA Tour or finishing in the Top 20 on the Rolex Rankings (as at December 31, 2010).

The HSBC Women’s Champions 2010 attracted the strongest field ever seen in Asia, with the top 20 players from the Rolex Rankings and the top 55 players from the 2009 LPGA Official Money List in the field.

Further details on the HSBC Women’s Champions 2011 and additional star players who have confirmed their participation in the event in Singapore will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the HSBC Women’s Champions 2011, please visit the tournament website at http://www.hsbcgolf.com.