The Prestigious Buick LPGA Shanghai will return to the Shanghai Qizhong Garden Golf Club as the first event of the 2024 LPGA Fall Asia Swing from October 10th to 13th, 2024. The global golf spotlight will once again shift to Shanghai after the Paris Olympics, where the world’s top female golfers will compete for championship glory.
Defending champion of the Buick LPGA Shanghai, Angel Yin.
Jointly sanctioned by the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) and the China Ladies Professional Golf Association (CLPGA), the Buick LPGA Shanghai features a star-studded lineup. 34 of the 60 female golfers from 2024 Paris Olympics have previously competed in the Buick LPGA Shanghai, which accounts for more than half of the field. Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko has participated in all the past editions. Esther Henseleit, who won the silver medal, finished in third place last year in Shanghai. Lin Xiyu, the Buick Golf Ambassador, has also consistently competed on her home event at the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
From left to right are Lydia Ko, Esther Henseleit, and Lin Xiyu.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, golf returned to the Olympic family after a 112-year hiatus, where Chinese legendary golfer and two-time Buick Championship winner Feng Shanshan made history by securing a bronze medal, achieving a historic breakthrough for Chinese golf. In the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, Buick Golf Ambassador Lin Xiyu, who was representing China for the third time, once again brought glory to Chinese golf by claiming another bronze medal. Yin Ruoning, an emerging talent who made her Olympic debut, also achieved a top-10 finish. Yin has progressed from being the Best Amateur of the Buick LPGA Shanghai to becoming a major champion, establishing herself as a top player on the global stage.
Wei Qingfeng, Secretary-General of China Golf Association, expressed high praise for the event: "The Buick LPGA Shanghai has established a valuable platform for Chinese players to compete against world-class talents, thereby substantially increasing the competitive level of golf in our country. China was the only country to have two players in the top ten at the Paris Olympics this year. It is obvious that the Buick LPGA Shanghai has been instrumental in the development of women’s golf in China, as it has fostered talent and promoted the sport."
The Major champion Yin Ruoning
The Buick LPGA Shanghai, every autumn, attracts global attention to Shanghai with its star-studded lineup and high-caliber competition, underscoring the city’s potential and vitality in its endeavor to become an international sports event hub. The Buick LPGA Shanghai is awarded the prestigious "Shanghai Sports Developing Event" designation by the Shanghai Administration of Sports. The city of Shanghai has a strong relationship with the Buick LPGA Shanghai. It has attracted spectators from all over the world, substantially increasing sports consumption, and playing a unique role in stimulating domestic demand and driving industry growth, as an international top-tier golf tournament held in Shanghai.
Pictured is the U.S. player Lilia Vu
"The Buick LPGA Shanghai serves as a critical commencement of the LPGA Fall Asian Swing, as players look to take advantage of the opportunity to compete at their highest level and make a final drive toward the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. We have seen the global development and influence of Chinese players on the LPGA Tour through their extraordinary performances in recent years, including Xiyu Lin’s bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Ruoning Yin’s major championship title in 2023, and expect continued growth in this critical region towards the future of global golf." said Ricki Lasky, Chief Tour Business and Operations Officer.
Chinese-American player Rose Zhang
The 2023 Buick LPGA Shanghai attracted 81 players from 21 countries and regions worldwide, including 22 Chinese players who made a lasting impression on the spectators. Li Hong, CEO of China LPGA Tour, noted, "More and more Chinese players have made their way to the world stage and even the Olympic stage after years of rigorous competition in the CLPGA. The Buick LPGA Shanghai, a critical stop on the CLPGA, has not only offered a world-class competition platform for Chinese players but has also facilitated the debut of numerous prospective Chinese golfers in prestigious international tournaments. We eagerly anticipate the Buick LPGA Shanghai, where Chinese female golfers will continue to demonstrate the allure of Chinese golf, and continue to achieve new heights."
For over three decades, the Shanghai Golf Association has been dedicated to the promotion and popularization of golf in Shanghai. "Shanghai’s world-class courses, professional golf practitioners, and a large number of enthusiastic fans provide a solid foundation for hosting international events like the Buick LPGA Shanghai," stated Lin Kaiwen, Chairman of Shanghai Golf Association. "We eagerly anticipate the occurrence of another pinnacle event at Qizhong Garden this autumn."
As the founding partner, Buick has embodied the spirit of "Progress, Achievement, and Demeanor" for over half a century—a spirit that aligns perfectly with the essence of golf. Buick, one of the first international automotive brands to enter the Chinese market, has deepened its presence in China over the years, gaining the trust and support of over 13 million users. Nowadays, Buick is keeping its pace by actively embracing the new energy vehicle segment. Its electric and intelligent product lineup has been well-received in the market. This year, Buick launched the new-generation GL8 ES PHEV, marking a new chapter in its push into the new energy vehicle market and accelerating its transformation towards electrification, intelligent connectivity and more premium orientation.
Gu Min, Buick New Sales & Marketing & Content Center Director and Buick National Sales & Marketing Director remarked, "Buick Golf is a premium sports platform that the Buick brand has meticulously cultivated over the long term. The brand has always been deeply committed to promoting the development of golf in China. Buick has established a strong foundation for the development of Chinese golf over the past two decades by consistently investing in junior development, professional player instruction, amateur event promotion, and partnerships with top professional tournaments. We also aspire for this event to motivate Chinese players to acquire additional experience, persist in their progress, and realize their golf dreams."
The 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai will continue to be organized and promoted by IMG, a leading global sports agency. Grant Slack, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG, proudly stated, "We are honored to once again partner with the China Golf Association, the Shanghai Administration of Sports, the Shanghai Minhang District People’s Government, the Shanghai Minhang District Administration of Sports, the Shanghai Minhang District Maqiao Town People’s Government, the LPGA, the CLPGA, the Shanghai Golf Association, SAIC-GM Buick, the Shanghai Qizhong Garden Golf Club and all our tournament sponsors. Together, we look forward to offering golf enthusiasts in China an unparalleled experience."
Zhang Xin, President of Qizhong Garden Golf Club, declared, "For the past three editions, we have successfully hosted the Buick LPGA Shanghai. This year, the club will continue to offer an impeccable field and comprehensive support services, welcoming 81 players from around the world."
The enthusiasm will persist following the Paris Olympics. Join us this October to witness the world’s top women golfers set new legends and deliver another unforgettable achievement!
Ticket information for the 2024 Buick LPGA Shanghai will be released soon. Please stay tuned to official announcements for ticket sales.