Golf-China to host first LPGA tournament in October

BEIJING, July 8 (Reuters) - World number two Annika Sorenstam will top the bill when China stages its first LGPA tournament, the $1.8 million Grand China Air in October.

Golf has boomed in the world's most populous nation in recent years and six men's European Tour co-sanctioned events took place in greater China last year.

The new event will take place from Oct. 24-26 at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club in Haikou, the capital of the island dubbed "China's Hawaii".

Sorenstam, who is bowing out of competitive golf at the end of this season, said the new tournament would be a major milestone for the LPGA.

"The players are all very excited... to have the chance to be the first champion of an event that in years to come could be one of the biggest we have on tour," said the Swede, who has won 90 tournaments and earned more than $22 million in prize money.

Taiwanese rookie sensation Tseng Yani, sixth on the U.S. money list and recent LPGA Championship winner, is also in the 63-strong field. (Writing by Liu Zhen; Editing by John O'Brien)