HSBC has announced that they will be committing to a three-year extension to their title sponsorship of the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore.
Considered amongst the players as “Asia’s Major,” it has consistently gathered a field of the world’s best women players with 49 of the top 50 on the LPGA Money list competing at last year’s tournament. The 2012 edition of the tournament was won by Angela Stanford and previous winners include Karrie Webb, Ai Miyazato, Jiyai Shin and Lorena Ochoa.
The 2013 HSBC Women’s Champions will take place 28th February – 3rd March and the news that HSBC intends to renew for the next three years has been universally well received by all of the leading women golfers.
World number one Yani Tseng enthused, “This is fantastic news for women’s golf. HSBC have been so generous in their support of the women’s game and put on such a special event for us in Singapore. We are all very happy to hear the good news that they are renewing their sponsorship. I haven’t won there yet and it is frustrating for me so you can be sure I will be there next year looking to try and add the HSBC Women’s Champions title to my trophy cabinet.”
Defending champion, Angela Stanford added, “We are pleased to hear that this fantastic tournament works out just as well for HSBC as it does for us and that we have at least another three years to look forward to. All of the players love this tournament and we get the feeling that HSBC and their guests enjoy the week as much as we do which is always a nice feeling to have. I very much look forward to defending my title.”
The “Champions of Champions” event has one of the most challenging qualification criteria of any golf event in the world. To be sure of their place in the US$1.4 million tourbament, a player must have won a LPGA tournament in 2012 or finish the year in the Top 20 on the Rolex Rankings.
Come 2013, an elite field of international golfers is once again expected for the sixth edition of this tournament led by 2012 Champion, Stanford. Player and venue announcements will take place in the coming weeks and the crowds can, once again, look forward to a fantastic week of golf.
Alex Hungate, Group General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Singapore said, “We are delighted to announce the extension of our title sponsorship of HSBC Women’s Champions. Every year, this event becomes more and more significant for our clients, guests and golf enthusiasts from around the world. We are proud to be able to bring the world’s best to Singapore and look forward to another exciting tournament next year.”
Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorship and Events for HSBC said, “The HSBC Women’s Champions is definitely one of the gems in our golf portfolio. It delivers on so many levels and has fantastic support at both a local and international level. The players have supported this event wholeheartedly from the outset which is also why we are so delighted to announce this news today and very much look forward to next year’s event. “
LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan added, “HSBC is one of the truly best sponsors on Tour and Singapore is consistently rated as a favourite stop amongst LPGA players. HSBC and IMG put on a fantastic global showcase for women’s golf which delivers on every aspect – the best players on the planet, fantastic media coverage, top-notch facilities, and great marketing support. The event is world-class in every way and the LPGA is thrilled to know that we will be working with HSBC for years to come.”
Robbie Henchman, Senior Vice President and Co-Managing Director of IMG Golf said, “Renewing a sponsorship is one of the biggest challenges in the current climate and only the most successful of partnerships come through the scrutiny of these tough economic times. The HSBC Women’s Champions has developed into one of the leading events in women’s golf and really delivers both for the players and the sponsors. We look forward to working with our partners, HSBC and the LPGA Tour, as we aim to continue to grow and develop this great tournament. “
HSBC Women’s Champions http://www.hsbcgolf.com/womens/home