Golfer Joey Poh wins host country invite spot for HSBC Women's Champions

Contributed by Lorna Campbell

Tanah Merah Country Club, Thursday, January 21, 2010 - Joey Poh won the HSBC Women's Champions Local Qualifying Tournament for 2010 to earn the host country invite spot for the second year running at next month's showdown of the world's top professional female golfers.

Poh clinched victory with a final round score of 76 (Gross 153) to put her ahead of the 10 other challengers all fighting for a place in ´Asia's Major'.

She said, "I am really excited; I cannot quite believe I am going to play in the HSBC Women's Champions again this year. I shot one better today than yesterday but only managed one birdie [ninth hole] but my driving improved and I was able to turn my concentration on and off when I needed to."

The 16-year-old student (handicap 0.3) from the Singapore Sports School has had a great year on the golf course, picking up a host of top accolades in Singapore including first place at the first and third legs of the HSBC Youth Golf Challenge. She is a member of the HSBC Youth Excellence Programme where she develops the mental and physical elements of her game amongst her peers.

Mr Guy Harvey-Samuel, CEO of HSBC Singapore congratulated Poh on her performance saying, "We are delighted to have Joey as our host country invite for a second time at the HSBC Women's Champions 2010. As long-term ´top-to-bottom' sponsors of golf with programmes running in over 25 countries, our hope is that Joey's win today will help inspire the fast growing female golfing community in Singapore, and that one day, a Singaporean will emerge as a world-class champion. I am sure the other entrants will be supporting Joey throughout the competition next month, along with all the spectators at the Garden Course."

Finishing in second place was professional Ji Jiali after a round of 81 (gross 159) and Stephanie Loi had a round of 82 to take third place (gross 160).

Ji explained, "I think the mental pressure got to me today as I have not been in that situation before. I definitely need more experience and I should get that now I am professional. It was great fun today and a pleasure to watch Joey play so well."

Vice President at TMCC, Ronald Ong, congratulated Poh on behalf of the host venue. He said, "It has been a fascinating two days of golf and we are delighted to see the standard of golf in Singapore improving. We congratulate Joey and will support her in her preparation for the HSBC Women's Champions and the challenge that awaits her."

TMCC will now provide Poh with complimentary rounds on the Garden Course to help prepare her for the four day stroke play tournament which takes place from the 25 – 28 February, featuring the top 63 female professional golfers from the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).