Buick LPGA Shanghai

An LPGA Tour golf tournament held in Shanghai, China, with Buick serving as title sponsor.

Buick LPGA Shanghai

Overview

The Buick LPGA Shanghai is a regular event on the U.S. LPGA Tour, held at Qizhong Garden Golf Club (치중 가든 골프 클럽) in Shanghai, China. Since its inaugural edition in 2018, it has established itself as a key tournament in the Asian Swing, with Buick, General Motors' (GM) Chinese brand, serving as title sponsor. The event attracts the world's top female golfers and draws significant interest from Chinese golf fans.

Key Details

History and Background

The Buick LPGA Shanghai was first included on the LPGA Tour schedule in 2018. It was conceived as a strategic tournament to expand golf's popularity in the Chinese market and enhance the marketing impact of the Buick brand. The inaugural event was held at Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai (par 72), and Danielle Kang of the United States won. Danielle Kang also won in 2019, achieving back-to-back victories at the tournament. However, from 2020 to 2022, the event suffered cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament resumed in 2023, when Angel Yin won and claimed her first LPGA Tour victory. The 2024 event was held from October 10 to 13, and Ruoning Yin of China won to enthusiastic cheers from home fans.

Tournament Characteristics

The tournament is part of the LPGA Tour's Asian Swing, one of a series of events held consecutively in Korea, Japan, China, and other locations. As of 2024, the total purse is $2.1 million, with a winner's share of approximately $315,000. Top-ranked players from around the world and promising Chinese players compete in large numbers, and Qizhong Garden Golf Club's challenging layout of around 6,700 yards demands strategic play from the competitors. Interest from local Chinese golf fans is especially high, and the number of galleries has steadily increased; the emergence of star players such as Ruoning Yin has added further drawing power.

Notable Winners

2018: Danielle Kang (United States)
2019: Danielle Kang (United States)
2020–2022: Cancelled due to COVID-19
2023: Angel Yin (United States)
2024: Ruoning Yin (China)

Significance and Impact

The Buick LPGA Shanghai contributes significantly to the development of golf in China and the LPGA's expansion in the Asian market. Through this tournament, Buick is raising brand awareness in the Chinese automotive market, and the event serves as an important stepping stone providing Chinese female golfers with experience on the world stage. It also has a positive influence on broadening the base of golf in China and nurturing youth players.

Latest Trends (2024–2025)

The 2024 tournament drew great attention with Ruoning Yin's victory. A Chinese player winning an LPGA event held in her home country further heightened local enthusiasm for golf. The 2025 tournament is scheduled to be held from October 9 to 12 at the same venue, Qizhong Garden Golf Club, and is included on the LPGA Tour schedule. Recently, the LPGA has been strengthening its push into the Chinese market by expanding the Asian Swing, and its sponsorship with Buick is expected to continue. In 2025, more emerging Chinese players are expected to compete, and the event is seen as contributing to broadening golf's base in China as an Olympic sport. Discussions are also underway to introduce eco-friendly elements in tournament operations in line with environmental and sustainability issues.