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Suzann Pettersen relishing return to Asia for Grand China Air LPGA

Returning to a happy hunting ground for the first time in a year, Rolex Rankings’ world number four Suzann Pettersen has her eye on her first LPGA victory of 2008 at this week’s inaugural US$1.8 million Grand China Air LPGA at Hainan West Coast Golf Club.

Pettersen has had an excellent season this year, posting eight top-10 finishes, including a runner-up placing last weekend behind Morgan Pressel at the Kapalua LPGA Classic in Hawaii. She is currently eighth on the LPGA Official Money List, having earned more than US$1.1 million so far in 2008.

With a return to Asia, where the 27-year-old notched back-to-back victories at the Hana Bank Kolon Championship in Korea and the Honda LPGA Thailand 2007 late last year, she is looking forward to adding another win in China’s first official LPGA Tour event.

Said Pettersen: “I like Asia. I've had a great year. I've had a couple second places, a couple where I feel like I should have won. But my time will come. I just have to be a bit more patient.

“It’s such a small margin from having a good year to a great year to a fantastic year. Last year, I won several times and it was a fantastic year. And this year I have no wins so far (in the US) and I have two wins in Europe. I am still quite pleased with the season, but a win this week or next week would make a big difference,” said Pettersen.

The Hainan West Coast Golf Club has endured more than 20 inches of rain in the last 10 days, although has drained relatively well after hot and sunny conditions this week.

“I got there this morning and played the back nine. It is a very good golf course and it’s very long, with all the rain it’s had. It’s going to be playing a little bit longer, but at the same time you can be much more aggressive coming into the greens,” said Pettersen.

Along with Pettersen, the first Grand China Air LPGA will also feature Rolex Rankings’ world number two Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, Chinese Taipei’s third-ranked Tseng Yani, the 2008 McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola winner, and last week’s winner Pressel in a powerful line-up.

The field also includes 2008 U.S. Women’s Open champion Park Inbee of Korea, Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson, Koreans Lee Seon Hwa and Choi Na Yeon and the United States’ Cristie Kerr. All five players are also ranked in the top 10 on the current LPGA Official Money List.

Norwegian Pettersen is one of women’s golf’s brightest stars, courtesy of a superb breakthrough year in 2007, in which she posted five victories and finished second on the LPGA Official Money List with more than US$1.8 million.

Added Pettersen: “The competition out here is awesome. Every week you have to play your absolute best to win. Of course, every week I'm trying out there to win and I've been close. It not like I am doubting (that) I'm good enough, because I already got that confirmation last year.

“(I) just try to be patient to be honest, because there are so many great players out here and everyone is out here trying to beat each other. You've got to kind of have the trust and belief that you're doing the right thing.”

To be played this week from October 24-26 at Hainan West Coast Golf Club, the Grand China Air LPGA features 63 of the world’s best players. It is the first time the LPGA has staged an official event in China and is the richest tournament on the LPGA’s annual end-of-year Asian swing.

October 22, 2008