Aramco China Championship tees off in Shenzhen

As Shenzhen prepares for key APEC engagements, the Aramco China Championship, the season finale of the Ladies European Tour (LET) PIF Global Series, is set to swing into action from Nov. 5 to 8 at Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen.

Following stops in Riyadh, Los Angeles, London and the Republic of Korea, the tournament gathers the world’s leading female golfers for four days of elite competition, serving as a vibrant platform for international sports dialogue alongside APEC’s spirit of connectivity.

A total of 108 players from 32 countries and regions will compete to share a US$2 million prize purse.

Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference Nov. 3, Tenniel Chu, vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, said hosting the tournament for the third consecutive year was significant for both Chinese women's golf and Shenzhen's international profile.

Tenniel Chu (C), vice chairman of Mission Hills Group, and players pose for a group photo at Mission Hills Resort Shenzhen on Nov. 3. Courtesy of the event organizer

"Most importantly, it gives Chinese women golfers the opportunity to compete against the world's best on home soil, while allowing the world to see the progress of golf in China," Chu said.

The Aramco China Championship has also provided a stage for Chinese players to demonstrate their abilities. Last year, Shenzhen native Liu Ruixin claimed her maiden LET title at Mission Hills. This year's tournament is expected to reach audiences in 106 countries and regions through international broadcasts.

With Shenzhen in the international spotlight in the APEC year, Chu said the tournament was an opportunity to present the city's vitality and openness to a global audience. He also hoped the event would encourage more women and young people to take up golf.

Among the players drawing particular attention is defending champion Liu, who returns to the course where she secured the first professional victory of her career.

"Coming back here means a lot to my career," Liu said. "Winning my first professional title at Mission Hills last year makes returning to Guangdong especially meaningful. I hope to carry that momentum into this week."

Another player to watch is 18-year-old Anna Huang, fresh from winning the PIF London Championship. Having recently celebrated her birthday, Huang said competing in international events had given her valuable opportunities and that she was excited to play in Shenzhen.

"Turning 18 opens up many new opportunities for my career," she said. "My approach is simple: keep doing what I've been doing, stay committed and see where it takes me."

For China's youngest six-time CLPGA Tour winner Ren Yijia, competing alongside leading international players is also an important learning experience.

Such tournaments allow young golfers to observe how the world's best handle pressure, tackle challenging course conditions and maintain consistency throughout four rounds, Ren said.