KO JIN-YOUNG and Lee Jung-min will aim to continue South Korea’s success story in the World Ladies Championship when they line up at Mission Hills Dongguan in China from Thursday to Sunday.

    While the competition is primarily an individual stroke play event, it has a unique three-in-one format with a team event for pairs and an individual amateur tournament running simultaneously.

    South Koreans have dominated both individual and team events, which have been held at Mission Hills Haikou for the last four years.

    This year, Ko and Lee, who both have four wins on the Korean LPGA Tour, will make their debut in the US$800,000 event.

    With World Ranking points available, a strong finish will boost many of the players’ chances of qualifying for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

    Danish Olympic hopefuls Nicole Broch Larsen and Emily Kristine Pedersen, who were the 2015 Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year respectively, are expected to form a formidable partnership. Meanwhile another Olympic prospect, Gwladys Nocera, will represent France with Celine Herbin.

    The home nation of China has two fine teams. Olympic hopeful Lin Xiyu partners Pan Yanhong, while Ye Ziqi forms another compelling team with Zhang Weiwei.

    There are three teams from Great Britain. Hannah Burke and Florentyna Parker will represent England while Pamela Pretswell and Sally Watson will pair up for Scotland. Wales also has a strong team with Amy Boulden partnering Becky Morgan.

    Australia will be represented by Rebecca Artis and Sarah Kemp.

    For the first time, the championship will be sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour [LET], the China LPGA and now the Korean LPGA as well.(SD-Agencies)