DIAZ AND BROTHER COMBINE TO LEAD INAUGURAL GRAND CHINA AIR LPGA AFTER DAY ONE

Haikou, China, October 24, 2008 – The United States’ Laura Diaz scorched to a three-shot lead at the inaugural US$1.8 million Grand China Air LPGA today, posting 10 birdies in a course-record opening round of nine-under 63 at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club in China.

Diaz leads by three shots from Korea’s Lee Seon Hwa in outright second, with another Korean, H.J. Choi, and England’s Karen Stupples another shot back after returning 67s. Oh Ji Young of Korea and Swede Louise Friberg, the early clubhouse leaders after rounds of four-under 68 in the fifth group of the day, round out the top five.

The leading mainland Chinese player after round one was the impressive Yang Tao-li, an invitation of the China Golf Association. Playing in one of the marquee groups alongside Morgan Pressel and Pak Se-ri, her three-under 69 puts her in equal seventh place.

After making a birdie at the first hole, 33-year-old Florida resident Diaz notched three more birdies on the front side, offset by her only bogey of the day at the fifth. However, she was red-hot on the back nine with birdies at the 10th, 12th through to the 14th holes and another pair at the final two holes to close with a back nine of six-under 30 and a total of 63.

Diaz paid tribute to her brother, well-known US teaching professional Ron Philo Jr, who is filling in as her caddie this week. “He was available to come with me to China. My husband normally caddies and he had to take our son home (from Hawaii after the Kapalua LPGA Classic last week). So we have a little different mojo going on out there.

“My brother is a fantastic player and we did a lot of working together on every club selection and every putt. So he helped me really be committed and I was just able to drop some putts,” she said.

Added Diaz: “It was a very enjoyable 63. I felt very confident out there. I had a great pairing, playing with Leta Lindley and Juli Inkster, and they are two of my good friends and it was just a lot of fun.”

Among the big names, Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson is at two-under 70 and both Rolex Rankings’ world number two Annika Sorenstam and Suzann Pettersen returned an even-par 72s. Americans Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel had 74 and 75 respectively and 2008 U.S. Women’s Open champion Park Inbee of Korea had 77.

Meanwhile, crowd favourite Tseng Yani fought back with three consecutive back-nine birdies to finish with even-par72, but still managed to make a splash after her round. The 19-year-old announced she would donate US$50,000 to Zhejiang Xinhua Compassionate Education Foundation’s ‘Plum Blossom Class’ in Sichuan.

The group provides secondary education to 250 students affected by May’s Sichuan earthquakes, covering their costs for the three final years of their education.

Said Tseng, the winner of the 2008 McDonald’s LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola: "I felt very sad when I saw the Sichuan earthquake news on television when I was in the United States. I felt that I really want to help them and give something back.

“For that reason, I have decided that I am donating US$50,000 to the Plum Blossom Class of the Zhejiang Xinhua Compassionate Education Foundation. Students with above average grades will be selected to join this class and I will help support their study from the 10th to 12th grade.

"I hope that this can grow and that I can visit those students later or even invite them come to see my tournaments,” added Tseng.

Being played in Haikou, the capital of the island province of Hainan, the Grand China Air LPGA features 63 of the world’s best players competing for US$1.8 million. It is the first official LPGA event to be staged in China and is the richest tournament on the LPGA’s annual end-of-year Asian swing.

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Notes To Editors

About Grand China Air and HNA Group

Grand China Air is a subsidiary of HNA Group, one of the four largest airline companies in China, and is the flagship company of its aviation business.  Grand China Air employs modern management structure with a goal of becoming an international airline brand.

HNA Group’s main business is air transportation, with other operational areas including airport management, travel service, logistics, hotel management, retail business, financial service.  HNA being in the top 500 enterprises for six consecutive years has 70 billions RMB in asset, employing over 36,000 staff.  

HNA Group’s aviation companies have nearly 180 fleets, providing close to 3000 flights a week and 20 million trips per year.  HNA Group received multiple awards including “Golden Eagle Cup” since its establishment, and received “Passengers Satisfaction Service” award for nine consecutive years, and “Flight Punctuality” award for eight consecutive years.   

About the China Golf Association

Established on May 23, 1985, the China Golf Association’s goal is to develop golf in the country by increasing golf penetration and professional skills in China. CGA has been active in communicating and working with other golf associations and organizations globally. CGA is currently made up of nine working committees in the following areas: Rules and Competition, Professional Golfers, Amateur Golfers, Junior Golfers, Women Golfers, Senior Citizens, Handicap System Administration, Public Relations and Development and Course Management.

About the Ladies Professional Golf Association

As the longest-running women’s professional sports organization in the world, the LPGA features a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP).  Today’s LPGA Tour features the most talented global sampling of professional athletes competing in 37 events in 10 countries with total prize money of more than $64 million. In addition to its dynamic Tour members, nearly 1,200 certified T&CP members serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf.  The not-for-profit LPGA’s Vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world.  Its Mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.

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