| Solheim Cup stars to represent Sweden at Women’s World Cup
The full field of 20 countries for the 2008 Women’s World Cup of Golf has been confirmed with Sweden, Japan, Taiwan, Spain, India and the Philippines joining the rest of the world’s best women golfers at Sun City from 18-20 January.
Sweden will be one of the favourites for the title with the in-form Sophie Gustafson and Maria Hjorth teaming up. Both are in a position to win the Ladies European Tour (LET) money list this weekend in Dubai, with Gustafson second and Hjorth fourth. Gustafson last represented Sweden in the 2005 Women’s World Cup of Golf. As a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour and a life member of the LET, Gustafson has accumulated four LPGA and 22 international wins in her career. She is also a two-time LET Order of Merit winner and has represented Europe in The Solheim Cup in each match since 1998.
Hjorth has accumulated more than $3.5 million in career earnings and three victories on the LPGA, including a win at the Navistar LPGA Classic in September. She is also a five-time winner on the LET, recording 19 additional top-10 finishes, and is a three-time member of the European Solheim Cup team in 2002, 2005 and 2007. Hjorth has an enviable amateur record and was the Finnish, Norwegian, Greek, Spanish and European champion. She also won the Scottish Stroke Play, Sherry Cup and St Rule Trophy.
The Philippines will also have a strong team, represented by the colourful veteran team of Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin. The pair tied for second at the inaugural Women’s World Cup of Golf in 2005. Both Rosales and Delasin have career earnings of more than $2 million, with Rosales notching up two professional wins and Delasin four.
The Japanese are always very competitive, having won the inaugural tournament. In her second year representing Japan, Shinobu Moromizato will team with the exotically named Miki Saiki to try and repeat the 2005 feat of the very popular Ai Miyazato and Rui Kitada.
Moromizato had a well-decorated amateur career, which included a win at the Japan Women’s Amateur three years ago.
Saiki broke the record for the fastest victory since joining the LPGA of Japan (JLPGA) with a win at the Fujisankei Ladies Classic. She won just 112 days after becoming professional, breaking the record of 146 days set by Miyazato in 2004.
The duo from Taiwan are an unknown entity but Amy Hung has won 50 junior and amateur events worldwide and has annually moved up the LPGA Official Money List, finishing 44th in 2007 and recorded four top-10 finishes. She was also a member of the fourth-placed team at the Asian Games.
Yun-Jye Wei has had a modest career since turning professional in 2001, collecting just under $50,000 in earnings.
India will make their first appearance in the tournament, and will be represented by Simi Mehra and Irina Brar. Mehra is India’s first player to qualify for the LPGA Tour.
And Spain will be led by Paula Marti and Tania Elosegui. Both are no strangers to top flight golf. Marti has won twice on the LET, while Elosegui is a regular member of the LET.
Next month’s tournament will be headlined by the return of defending champions Paraguay and the inclusion of a number of major champions and Hall of Famers.
Julieta Granada and Celeste Troche will once again represent Paraguay in the $1.4 million event.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Simon will partner with the experienced Laurette Maritz in their fourth Women’s World Cup of Golf together. But this will be Simon’s first as a professional.
2008 Field
Australia
Lindsey Wright
Nikki Garrett
Brazil
Angela Park
Candy Hannemann
Canada
Alena Sharp
Lorie Kane
China
Zhang Na
Wang Chun
England
Trish Johnson
Kirsty Taylor
France
Gwladys Nocera
Virginie Lagoutte-Clement
Germany
Bettina Hauert
Martina Eberl
India
Simi Mehra
Irina Brar
Italy
Sylvia Cavalleri
Diana Luna
Japan
Shinobu Moromizato
Miki Saiki
Korea
Ji-Yai Shin
Eun-Hee Ji
Paraguay
Julieta Granada
Celeste Troche
Philippines
Jennifer Rosales
Dorothy Delasin
Scotland
Catriona Matthew
Mhairi McKay
South Africa
Laurette Maritz
Ashleigh Simon
Spain
Paula Marti
Tania Elosegui
Sweden
Sophie Gustafson
Maria Hjorth
Taiwan
Amy Hung
Yun-Jye Wei
USA
Juli Inkster
Pat Hurst
Wales
Becky Brewerton
Becky Morgan |