[Shenzhen, China – 19th February 2019] Organisers have announced that the winner of the 2019 ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills China on February 27 to March 1 will be invited to play alongside the professionals in the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open in May.

Golfing legend Annika Sorenstam will return to southern China this month to host the ninth edition of the all-girls event at Mission Hills Dongguan. Played over three rounds on her highly-acclaimed Annika Course, more than 70 top female amateurs aged eight to 18 now have the added incentive of a Tour start to play for – as well as CGA and World Amateur Ranking points and a place in the prestigious ANNIKA Invitational USA presented by Rolex.

The 2019 winner will tee it up alongside more than 100 Tour players from around the world in the fifth edition of the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open, staged by the famous Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from May 10 to 12.  Sponsored by EFG Bank for the third consecutive year and played on Fanling’s historic Old Course, the popular event is the first and only golf tournament in Hong Kong with Rolex World Ranking points. 

10-time Major Champion Sorenstam commented:  “I’m so proud of what this event has become over the past nine years.  Mission Hills has been a wonderful founding partner and thanks to EFG Bank and Hong Kong Golf Club, the players will have added incentive at this year’s competition.”

Tenniel Chu, Group Vice-Chairman of Mission Hills added:  “The ANNIKA Invitational is one of the highlights of our annual junior golf program at Mission Hills, which features more than 50 tournaments for tens of thousands of young golfers in China and across the region.  We thank the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open for extending an invitation to the winner and for joining us in support of women’s golf in China.

Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia Pacific, EFG Bank, commented: “We are delighted to see the winner of the 2019 ANNIKA Invitational given the opportunity to compete at the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open this year. This is aligned with EFG’s vision and that of the EFG Young Athletes’ Foundation, to help develop young local sports talent, providing them the assistance they need to realise their full potential.”

Ian Gardner, General Manager of Hong Kong Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to provide the winner of the ANNIKA Invitational with a berth in the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open. Helping to develop ladies’ golf in the region and providing a stage for rising junior talents to play alongside and compete with professionals are priorities of ours. We look forward to welcoming this year’s champion to our Old Course in May.” Mission Hills Group is the owner and operator of two luxury resorts in China, one in Shenzhen in southern China and the other in Haikou on the tropical tourism island of Hainan. Together, the fully-integrated facilities span a total of 40 square kilometres and 22 golf courses, making Mission Hills the largest golf complex in the world.