With the inaugural Orient Ladies Open teeing off yesterday in Xiaman, Fujian Province, local female golfers have a chance to compete with some of the Korea's top players.

The US$200,000 event, taking place at Orient Xiamen Golf Club, attracted more than 100 professional female golfers from China, South Korea, the United States, Japan and Thailand.

Zhong Xiaolong and fellow Beijinger Zhang Na, lead a group of home players and believe more chances in high-level competitions will help improve China women's golf.

"I have been looking forward to competing with high level international players. I will gain more experiences," said Zhang, who has made it top 10 at the 2006 Orient Masters tour.

"Korea boasts very good women golfers. It is not easy to beat them. But I am confident to compete on home soil and as long as I play the best golf, I have a chance to win."

Among the 35 Koreans, Shin Ji-yai, Park Hee-young and Choi Na-yeong, all playing on the Korean LPGA tour this year, are the main title contenders.

Shin, 18, still studies at senior high school but has been touted in Korea as the "next Pak Se-ri."

In her rookie season last year, she topped the KLPGA money list with US$100,000 in earnings.

"My game has been pretty good this season and I'm counting on my current form to end my season on a high note," said the Seoul native.

"The conditions at this golf course are very good and its great weather too. I hope I can come home with the trophy."

Korea's participation is part of joint efforts made by the China Golf Association (CGA) and the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA).

Both sides have promised to further co-operation to create more chances, such as the Xiamen tournament.

South Korean is one of the dominant forces in the world of golf. There are now 32 South Korean players on the LPGA tour, compared to only three players nine years ago.

(China Daily November 17, 2006)