Ladies European Tour returns to Chinese mainland after seven years

A poster of the Saudi Aramco Team Series in Shenzhen. 

After a seven-year absence, the Ladies European Tour (LET) is making its return to the Chinese mainland with the highly anticipated Saudi Aramco Team Series set to be held in Shenzhen’s Longhua District from Oct. 4 to 6.

This star-studded event will feature top golfers from around the world competing on the acclaimed World Cup Course at Mission Hills Shenzhen Resort. Among the confirmed participants are Yin Ruoning, currently ranked fourth globally, who will be making her debut in this series, while Lin Xiyu, the Olympic bronze medalist, is aiming to defend her title.

The World Cup Course at Mission Hills Shenzhen Resort. Photos courtesy of the event organizer

Renowned golfers like Alison Lee, Muni He, and Angel Yin have also confirmed their participation.

Organized by the China Golf Association (CGA) and Golf Saudi, presented by PIF (Saudi Public Investment Fund), the Saudi Aramco Team Series will see 28 teams compete in a two-day team event and a three-round individual competition, with a total prize money of US$1 million.

This event marks the fourth stop of the season and marks a significant milestone for golf in the Chinese mainland. Anticipating her debut in the team event, Yin Ruoning said, "I am delighted to participate in this series for the first time and compete in front of local fans. I can't wait to feel their enthusiasm."

Lin Xiyu, the Olympic bronze medalist this year, will return as defending champion.

Lin Xiyu, this year's Olympic bronze medalist, will return as the defending champion. She expressed her determination, saying, "Returning to this event as the defending champion, I will give it my all. I am so excited to see such a high-level event taking place on the Chinese mainland and attracting so many top players."

The Saudi Aramco Team Series has already seen successful stops in Florida, Seoul, and London this season, with Shenzhen being the fourth stop before the final event in Riyadh in November.

Organized by Golf Saudi, the Aramco Team Series is a series of five events on the LET each year, adding an annual US$5 million in prize money. With events in destinations across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East, the innovative format is loved by players and fans alike, as groups of three professionals and an amateur compete against each other in the tour’s only recurring team event.

Alexandra Armas, chief executive officer of the LET, said: "Returning to China is an exciting prospect for the LET, as we continue to provide our members with valuable experiences on the world’s best courses. Our aim is to continue elevating women’s golf to new heights, around the globe, and in partnership with the Aramco Team Series.”

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: "We’re thrilled to be taking the Aramco Team Series to Shenzhen. This move not only showcases elite women's golf to a significant audience but also offers us an opportunity to inspire future generations in this exciting market.”

Khalid Al Zamil, Aramco vice president of Public Affairs, said: "We are delighted that the Aramco Team Series will be hosted in Shenzhen. At Aramco, we believe that sport provides a platform to create opportunities, improve lives and have a positive impact on society. The Aramco Team Series aims to empower female athletes, elevate women's golf globally, and inspire future generations of athletes."

Following a successful event in Hong Kong last year, the move to Shenzhen represents an opportunity for the tournament to continue to engage with a diverse array of spectators and showcase the elite of women’s golf.

Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen, a sprawling golf and leisure resort located in the heart of Guangdong Province, is renowned as the world's largest golf resort, with a staggering 12 golf courses, making it one of the world's premier golf destinations.

Tenniel Chu, vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, said: "Bringing the Aramco Team Series to Shenzhen represents a significant milestone for both Shenzhen and Mission Hills, heralding the return of the Ladies European Tour to China. We take immense pride in hosting this esteemed event at Mission Hills and look forward to extending a warm welcome to the international community at our breathtaking resort. Our aim is to orchestrate a memorable tournament that captivates audiences and leaves a long-lasting positive impact."