Glamour and style were at the forefront for Tuesday's official launch of the HSBC Women's Champions as the world's best female golfers swapped their usual golfing gear for some high-fashion dresses and killer heels.
Led by world No. 1 Lydia Ko, who at 17 is the youngest golfer to be ranked at the top of the standings, the eight women showcased the new Spring/Summer 2015 collection of lifestyle brand Shanghai Tang in a glitzy catwalk parade.
Ko, the South Korean-born Kiwi, was joined on stage by Park In Bee (world No. 2), Suzanne Pettersen (5), Michelle Wie (6), defending HSBC champion Paula Creamer, as well as LPGA Tour stars Anna Nordqvist, Jessica Korda and Chella Choi.
The gala ceremony was held at the Collyer Room at the Raffles City Convention Centre.
Said Ko, who is coming off back-to-back wins in Australia and New Zealand: "I would love to win this tournament for the first time and I could think of no better place to make it three straight wins."
The US$1.4 million (S$1.9 million) tournament at the Sentosa Golf Club which starts on Thursday will feature an elite 63-women field with 19 of the world's top-20 players.
Said Creamer, who won last year's edition with a memorable 75-foot eagle putt in a playoff against Azahara Munoz of Spain: "I've always played well at this golf course. It sets up really well. I'm really looking forward to Thursday. I think it'll be a good week but also I'm not going to put tons of pressure on myself to try and do something and go against my plan of what I want to do out there."
Wie, who won the US Open last year to break her Major drought, was another determined to stick to her game plan at the Serapong Course and attempt to be the fourth straight American to win the HSBC event, which is now into its eighth edition.
Besides their high-fashion outfits, the ladies had their make-up down by professional from Bobbi Brown and hair stylists from Singapore's renowned Shunji Matsuo.
She said: "I'm into fashion so it's been an extra special start to the week. But come Thursday it will be back to serious business of golf and trying to win one of the biggest tournaments we play in all year."
