| International Stars Highlight Sybase Classic Field
An elite field for the Sybase® Classic presented by ShopRite has been finalized as the deadline for player registration has passed. Two-time defending champion Lorena Ochoa looks for a three-peat, as Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Ai Miyazato, Morgan Pressel, and many other stars of the LPGA Tour compete at Upper Montclair Country Club, May 15 – 18.
“We are excited to see such a stellar field at this year’s Sybase Classic,” said John Chen, chairman, CEO and president of Sybase, Inc. “We look forward to some exciting golf with some of the world’s greatest players.”
Last year’s Sybase Classic victory by Ochoa marked her first win since she passed Sorenstam for first on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. It also sparked a record-setting year in which she won $4,364,994 with eight victories. Ochoa has continued her success into 2008 with a recent four in-a-row win streak and five titles in seven starts.
Sorenstam is perhaps the most decorated female golfer of all-time. She has won 71 events in her career, including 10 major championships and has earned nearly $22 million, the most in LPGA Tour history. She has had success before at the annual Tri-state event. She is a two-time champion (1998 and 2000) from when the event was held at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, New York.
Australian Webb, the fifth-ranked golfer in the world, also returns. The LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Famer is a 35-time champion.
Miyazato leads the influx of Asian stars participating in the Sybase Classic. The youngster has won 14 international events in her career and is experiencing success on the LPGA Tour since joining in 2006. She will be joined by South Korean sensation Seon Hwa Lee and Taiwanese rookie Yani Tseng, who is currently fourth on the 2008 Official Money List.
Teenage phenom Pressel leads the cast of rising American stars that will compete. She is the youngest major champion in Tour history and is already the 14th-ranked female golfer in the world since turning professional in 2006. 2007 Evian Masters champion Natalie Gulbis will also compete. |