Lydia Ko is in Singapore to defend her HSBC Women’s World Championship title.
By Raquel Stevens
The “Asian Swing” is shifting into top gear as the LPGA Tour’s heavyweights descend upon Singapore for the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Fresh off an emotional victory on home soil at the Honda LPGA Thailand, World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul arrives in Singapore with momentum, saying this is a new trophy and a new week.
“It’s time to focus,” Thitikul noted. “Last year the pins were really tough. Success here starts with the driver. You have to stay on the fairway. Nerves will always be there, but you have to beat the nerves.”
When reminded of her impressive record of never finishing outside the top 10 at this event, she quipped with a smile, “Thanks, nothing like a bit of pressure to start the week.”
Standing in her way is defending champion and 13-year tour veteran Lydia Ko.
Ko won the championship by four shots on her 11th attempt at The Tanjong, Sentosa Golf Club last year, and it was a victory that remains especially meaningful for the LPGA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medallist.
“The win was pretty special. I feel like I made a lot of good friendships, having played in Singapore for many years. From seeing some of the junior girls who were literally up to my hip, and now they’ve grown so much. A lot of the time, they even draw little signs for me,” Ko said.
“I think that’s what’s always been the special part of this week. The result was kind of secondary, and I just wanted to put on a good show, play a lot of good golf in front of the friends and fans that I’ve made in Singapore.”
Now a seasoned stateswoman of the game, Ko says she’s been working on her technique as well as changing up her equipment. However, the Hall of Famer admits fatigue is starting to catch up with her.
“To be honest, now that I’ve been on tour for so long, my body, I know, is not the same as ten years ago. My recovery is not as fast as I think I should be. So
sometimes I think the fatigue catches up to me more than where I am mentally. So I’m just trying to have a good balance of that.”
The sheer depth of the field in Singapore highlights a new era for women’s golf. With 9 of the top 10, and 27 of the top 30 players in the world present, the tournament is effectively ‘Asia’s major’. The diversity of the leaderboard, featuring Britain’s Charlie Hull and Lottie Woad, Japan’s Chizuru Iwai, and local star Shannon Tan, highlights how the sport has transcended its traditional borders.
Australia also brings a powerhouse contingent. Led by World No. 4 Minjee Lee, the field includes 2024 champion Hannah Green, only the second Australian to win the title after Karrie Webb in 2011. They are joined by Grace Kim, Stephanie Kyriacou, and Cassie Porter.
The electric atmosphere last week in Thailand and buzz in Singapore have reignited a persistent question for LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler: When will Asia host an official Major?
“I’m getting quite a bit of that lately. And here’s what we’ve said, anything is possible. We’ve talked about how we’re going to go to where the opportunity is.
This is my second Asian trip since joining the LPGA. I was in Thailand last week and went to Korea,” Kessler said.
“There’s just a buzz and excitement about women’s golf in this part of the world.”
This momentum is bolstered by long-term partners like HSBC, who have championed the event for 18 years. This year, they have solidified their confidence in the women’s game by increasing the prize purse to US$3 million.
World No 6, Ko, said; “Partners like HSBC, we really wouldn’t be here without them today. They support sports and women in sports, and this event, I think, is one of the best events on the calendar year for us.”
Thitikul agrees; “The course is in great condition. I love the hotel, I love the shopping. So please keep doing what you’re doing.”
The 72-hole stroke play championship will once again take place on the widely acclaimed Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, one of Asia’s most prestigious and established golf destinations. Located on Singapore’s iconic Sentosa Island, the Club features two world-class championship courses, The Serapong and The Tanjong, set against a striking city skyline backdrop.
If the turnout of spectators in Thailand is any indication, then golf fans can look forward to a thrilling four-day spectacle, featuring world-class competition.
Partners of the 2026 HSBC Women’s World Championship include: Sentosa, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Marina Bay Sands, Lexus, Nunchi Marine, Singapore Airlines, Rolex, Hilton Singapore, AON, Epson, Puma, COBRA Golf, Ecco, Sony, Sunbird Brewing Company, Technogym, Loch Lomond Whisky, Titleist, Bluewater, Tanglin Gin, Yeo’s, Telmont, 2XU and SParms.
For more information on the HSBC Women’s World Championship or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website at https://www.hsbcgolf.com/womens/
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