Peaks Beyond Victory: 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai Officially Tees Off

On October 9, Beijing time, the world of women's golf shifted its focus to Shanghai. As one of the most prestigious and elite women’s golf tournaments in Asia this year, the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai kicked off on Wednesday with a pre-tournament press conference and an opening ceremony at Shanghai's Qizhong Garden Golf Club, heralding the start of this highly anticipated annual event.

The Buick LPGA Shanghai features a prize purse of $2.1 million. It is organized by the China Golf Association, the Shanghai Sports Bureau, and the Minhang District Government of Shanghai. The event is co-hosted by the Minhang District Sports Bureau, the Maqiao Town Government of Minhang District, and Shanghai WME Culture Development Co., Ltd., with Shanghai Qizhong Golf Club Co., Ltd. serving as a supporting partner. The tournament is jointly sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the China Ladies Professional Golf Association (CLPGA).

As the opening event of the LPGA Asia Fall Swing, this year’s tournament brings together 81 of the world’s finest female golfers, domestic and international. The field includes 28 LPGA champions, 12 Major champions, several emerging talents, and 20 athletes from 14 countries and regions set to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. These elite players will battle for the coveted Buick Goddess Trophy at Qizhong Garden, delivering an extraordinary golfing spectacle for the eagerly awaiting fans.

Pan Zhongguang, Vice Chairman of the China Golf Association and Chairman of the CLPGA; Wei Qingfeng, Secretary-General of the China Golf Association; Zhang Xian, Deputy District Head of the Minhang District Government; Zhang Xiaoying, Party Secretary and Director of the Minhang District Sports Bureau; Zhang Wenqi, Party Secretary of Maqiao Town in Minhang District; Li Zhongkang, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Golf Association; Gu Min, Marketing Director of Buick at SAIC General Motors; Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the LPGA; Li Hong, Director of the Women’s Professional Department at the China Golf Association and Managing Director of the CLPGA; Xu Tao, Vice President of WME China and Head of IMG Golf China; Luo Jie, General Manager of Shanghai Qizhong Garden Golf Club; along with player representatives, including Paris Olympic bronze medalist and Buick Golf Ambassador Lin Xiyu, China’s youngest Major champion Yin Ruoning, defending champion Angel Yin, rising Chinese-American star Rose Zhang, and Major champion Hannah Green, all attended the press conference, officially announcing the start of the fourth Buick LPGA Shanghai.

For over 70 years, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has been dedicated to the promotion of women’s golf, with a significant global impact. In her speech, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner of the LPGA, stated: “I am excited to be here in Shanghai for the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai. This tournament not only provides an exceptional experience for fans but also supports young players in achieving their dreams. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the LPGA Tour, a historic event with television coverage reaching 175 countries and regions across seven continents. Our players come from 35 countries and regions, with more than half of the top 100 players hailing from Asia, including China’s World No. 4 Yin Ruoning and Olympic bronze medalist Lin Xiyu. This week at Qizhong Garden, we are proud of golf’s ability to bring people together, and we look forward to a thrilling competition from all the players.”

As the founding partner of this world-class golf tournament, Buick has embodied its brand spirit of "Ambition, Achievement, and Poise" for more than half a century, aligning seamlessly with the core values of golf. For over two decades, Buick has played a pivotal role in advancing golf in China, supporting youth development, professional players, amateur competitions, and top-tier professional events, driving the sport’s progress at every level.

Gu Min, Marketing Director of Buick at SAIC General Motors, stated: “As one of the world’s premier women’s golf tournaments, the Buick LPGA Shanghai has been successfully held three times. Through this platform, by competing alongside the world’s top players, the level of Chinese women’s professional golf has been rapidly rising, with our athletes achieving impressive results on the international stage. Last year, Buick Golf Ambassador Liu Yu tied for third at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, and this year, the tournament will once again feature Buick Golf Ambassador and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Lin Xiyu and her fellow players, as they contend for the Buick Goddess Trophy. The outstanding performances of our Buick Golf Ambassadors not only represent the deep 66-year connection between the Buick brand and golf but also reflect the fruits of Buick's 20-year commitment to supporting the growth of golf in China. The elegance and spirit of continuous progress in golf are in perfect harmony with Buick’s brand values of sophistication and ambition.”

The 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai has attracted top players from around the world. In addition to the five star players who attended the press conference, other notable contenders include Olympic silver medalist Esther Henseleit from Germany, Major champion Minjee Lee, and former World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul from Thailand.

The Buick LPGA Shanghai also serves as a stage for the development of Chinese players, with a record-breaking 24 Chinese golfers participating this year at Qizhong Garden. Buick Golf Ambassador Lin Xiyu, who won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics this summer, shared her thoughts at the press conference: “Buick has been my longest-standing partner, accompanying me from the first Rio Olympics up to now, and I am truly grateful for their support. Likewise, I have witnessed the continuous growth of the Buick golf tournaments, which have now become an LPGA-sanctioned event. It’s been an honor to be a part of this journey. Returning to my home course this week, I look forward to delivering my best performance to repay everyone’s encouragement and support.”

Yin Ruoning, who was named the Best Amateur Player at the 2019 Buick LPGA Shanghai, has now become the new flagbearer for Chinese golf. Looking ahead to this tournament, Yin expressed her excitement: "I feel like my current form is better than it was in the first half of the year. This is actually my first full season, and I wasn’t quite used to playing so many tournaments at the start of the year. My technique and mindset weren't in the best shape during that period. In the second half of the year, I reduced my playing frequency and managed to find my rhythm. I ended last week's tournament on a positive note, and I look forward to delivering an exciting performance for the fans this week."

Defending champion and Chinese-American golfer Angel Yin defeated then-World No. 1 Lilia Vu in a thrilling playoff at Qizhong Garden in Shanghai last year. At the press conference, Yin remarked, "I vividly remember many moments from last year's Buick LPGA Shanghai. I’m excited to return to Qizhong Garden and look forward to delivering another strong performance."

Chinese-American golfer Rose Zhang has also been a standout this season, ending Nelly Korda's record-breaking six-win streak and securing her second LPGA title. "I’m really happy to be back in Shanghai; it’s such a wonderful city," Zhang said. "I’m approaching the Buick LPGA Shanghai with a relaxed mindset this week, and I look forward to having the fans come out to support me."

Major champion and Australian golfer Hannah Green is making her debut at the Buick LPGA Shanghai. This season, she has secured two victories and is ranked in the top ten in both the world rankings and CME points standings. "This is my first time in Shanghai, and I’m excited to be competing in the Buick LPGA Shanghai. The course at Qizhong Garden is quite long for me, so it will be a challenge. I recently spent some time at home to rest, and now I’m excited to return to the course this week, hoping for a strong result," Green said.

On October 10, 81 elite players will officially begin their journey at the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai, competing over four rounds and 72 holes. Starting now, fans can purchase tickets through the exclusive official ticketing partner for the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai—the Jussevent app[1] [p2] .

For more information on the tournament and ticketing, please follow the official "Buick LPGA Shanghai" account. This autumn in Shanghai, the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai looks forward to having you witness peaks beyond victory alongside us!