Karrie Webb With the MFS Women&aposs Australian Open set to be staged at Melbourne&aposs Kingston Heath Golf Club in early 2008, the stakes have suddenly been raised with news the winner will qualify for the new HSBC Women&aposs Champions Tournament. Played in Singapore form February 28 to March 2, 2008 the tournament will be the biggest of its kind in Asia and follows on from the success of the HSBC men&aposs event launched in 2005 leading many players to dub it “Asia&aposs Major”. The qualification criteria mirrors tat of the men&aposs event in Shanghai where the winners from golfing events worldwide are invited to tee up to compete for the “Champion of Champions” title. This includes winners on the American, Japanese, European, Korean, Australian and Asian tours in addition to the top African player receiving an invite. This prestigious field will line up at Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore which has already hosted high-profile events such as the Singapore Open, Johnnie Walker Classic and the Lexus Cup in 2005 and 2006. The HSBC Women&aposs Champions, sanctioned by the LPGA will be played over 72 holes of individual stroke play and the field of 78 players will qualify as follows: LPGA Tournament Champions from 2007 Top 30 Players from the Rolex Rankings (as of December 31, 2007) LPGA Tournament Champions from 2007 LPGA Major Champions 2005 to 2007 Champions of the following 2007 Tournaments: Japan Women’s Open JLPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup Shinsegye Cup KLPGA Championship Dubai Ladies Masters Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika Champions of the following 2008 Tournaments: 2008 ANZ Ladies Masters 2008 MFS Women’s Australian Open 2008 SBS Open 2008 Fields Open 2007 Money List or Order of Merit Winners from the following Tours” JLPGA KLPGA LET ALPG LAGT (Ladies Asian Golf Tour) Duramed FUTURES Tour Leading ranked Player on the Rolex Rankings from the continent of Africa (as of December 31, 2007) Host Country Invite 2 Sponsor Invites Leading Players on the LPGA Tour Money List not otherwise qualified (as of year ending 2007 LPGA Money List)
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