HSBC Women’s Champions Preview

The second stop on the winter Asian Swing is the third-annual HSBC Women's Champions.  Jiyai Shin won her first of three 2009 titles at this limited-field event last March, coming from six shots back to win by two over Katherine Hull. 

Tanah Merah's Garden Course in Singapore will once again be the site.  Five holes look particularly interesting.  Tee shots to the par-3 3^rd and 8^th will both be completely over water, with the 3^rd green almost an island.  15 is the longest hole at 554 yards and is followed by the short par-4 16^th, only 269 yards.  Those two will probably be the best birdie holes down the stretch.  18 is a par-4 whose approach will be over the agua to a green guarded on the left by that same hazard.  If I recall correctly the 18^th green is a multi-tiered one, one which is tough to putt if you're not on the right tier - making the approach even more difficult.

Last week's TV coverage of the Thailand event was short and sweet - 4.5 total hours, which beats the heck out of 0 - but our benefits from the new GC deal really seem to kick in this week.  11 hours of HSBC coverage (presumably via Australia's Channel 7 again) spread over all four rounds is a great improvement over last year's total of three hours.

The 63-player field is another strong one, only slightly diminished by Paula Creamer's withdrawal due to a wrist injury.  HSBC uses its own qualifying process to determine who plays, a combination of the Rolex Rankings and last year's LPGA money list.  This process admits three of the JLPGA's best - Shinobu Moromizato, Chie Arimura and Bo Bae Song - which strengthens the field even more.

Now for the picks.  Last week's attempt netted me 16^th place out of 20 participants in the Pakpicker contest at Seoulsisters.com.  If you haven't already, you should give it try yourself sometime - you too could beat the stuffing out of my selections!