Windy Shao

    windysjf@hotmail.com

    FOR the first time, the winner of this years’ Annika Invitational Tournament at Mission Hills will be given four wild cards, a news conference was told Thursday.

    According to Tenniel Chu, vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, the winner will won berth in the American Junior Golf Association’s Annika Invitational, World Ladies Championship, Xiamen Open and Hong Kong Open.

    The rain delayed tournament entered its second round at Mission Hills Dongguan on Thursday, with Hou Yusang, Liu Yan and Guo Anni leading the players.

    LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam visited the site, the fifth time since the Annika Invitational Tournament at Mission Hills was first launched in August 2011. It is the only Annika Invitational outside the United States.

    “The golf players are younger every time, and their skills are much better,” said Sorenstam about the five tournaments here.

    Sorenstam said she was excited that golf will become part of the Olympic Games in Rio and she will do some TV commentating.

    Talking about China’s women’s golf development, she said China still has a long way to go to catch up with South Korea as Koreans occupy 30 berths in the world ranking’s top 100.

    “It a matter of time. Golf is still very young in China, you should be proud of what you have.”

    Sorenstam also visited a golf museum at Mission Hills. The museum, the first in China, tells the history of world golf and China’s golf development.

    Sorenstam is considered the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best of all-time. During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, she rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record book, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played. She amassed 89 professional victories, including 72 LPGA wins, 10 of which are Major Championships.

    She retired in 2008 and then focused on the Annika Foundation, which offers junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.