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| Tiffany Chan, Hong Kong’s first LPGA player; Dr. Jack Wong, Chairman of The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club; Mr. Chris Madsen, Managing Director of the LPGA APAC Region; Ms. Rachel Li, Co-Founder of Futu Holdings Limited, and Mr. Kenneth Lam, JP, President of the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China; Ms. Marilyn Tham, General Manager of Mega Events Development & Advancement, Hong Kong Tourism Board jointly officiate the launch ceremony of the "Futu Ladies World Championship Presented by Moomoo", marking the official debut of the event in Hong Kong.) |
HONG KONG - The Ladies Professional Golf Association (“LPGA”) together with Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU, “Futu”) — a leading tech-driven digitalized brokerage and wealth management platform — jointly announced the inaugural Futu Ladies World Championship presented by Moomoo (“Futu Championship”), to be held in Hong Kong from 4 - 7 March 2027. This marks the debut of this elite international golf tournament in Hong Kong, injecting fresh energy into the city’s mega sporting‑events landscape. A ceremonial tee‑off launch event for the tournament was held today at host venue, The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club.
As the brand‑new finale of the LPGA Tour’s Spring Asia Swing, the tournament will set multiple milestones. It marks the LPGA Tour’s maiden landing in Hong Kong, and with a purse of USD 3.4 million (approximately HK$26.5 million), it boasts the highest prize purse for any LPGA Tournament across Asia. It also stands as the first‑ever LPGA Tournament titled by a fintech company, Futu.
Futu championship will feature a 78-player field of the world’s top female golfers, including LPGA tour winners and major champions, for four compelling rounds of competition at the challenging Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club in Hong Kong. Which player will lift the inaugural winner’s trophy will capture the attention of broadcast audiences across more than 130 markets, underscoring Hong Kong’s standing as the capital of events in Asia.
The inaugural Futu Championship carries the theme “Future is in Play”, embodying the forward‑looking vision of the LPGA, the tournament organiser SMK and all tournament partners, together with their long‑term commitment to the city of Hong Kong and women’s golf.
As one of the world’s leading and longest‑running women’s professional sports associations, the LPGA empowers players on and off the course. Its recent digital innovations embed data‑led shot‑simulation graphics into live broadcasts to boost viewer engagement. This pursuit of event excellence attracts elite players and creates powerful synergies for global fans and partners including Futu. It closely matches Futu’s tech‑first approach to financial innovation: uniting global financial intelligence and investment tools for investors to identify opportunities accurately. Both organisations aim to reimagine user experiences via technology.
New Milestone for Hong Kong’s International Sporting Calendar
Staged at the scenic yet exacting Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club ‑‑ affectionately known as the “Pebble Beach of Asia” -- the venue was instrumental in securing the tournament for Hong Kong. Players will tackle its challenging layout against breathtaking coastal backdrops. Set to be a flagship event on Hong Kong’s international sports calendar, it will boost the global profile and commercial value of women’s professional golf throughout Asia.
Local Standout Tiffany Chan Earns Wild‑Card to Face Global Elite at Home
Alongside an elite international field, the tournament’s Hong Kong debut welcomes local representation. Golf ambassador of The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, Tiffany Chan — Hong Kong’s first LPGA Tour competitor — receives a wild‑card to compete on home turf against the sport’s global stars. She delivered the ceremonial tee‑off at the launch event, firing the shot that ushers in a new chapter for Hong Kong golf.
Mr. Chris Madsen, Managing Director, LPGA APAC stated: “We greatly look forward to our new partnership with Futu, and the players are eager to compete at The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, with a $3.4 million purse — the largest of any LPGA Tournament in Asia. We would also like to thank organiser SMK for its tremendous efforts in bringing this landmark women’s golf tournament to Hong Kong. This event checks every box we look for — a championship‑calibre course, a market ready for the Tour, a perfect fit within our Spring Asia Swing, and partners who share our vision. Hong Kong boasts world‑class infrastructure, extensive experience staging major events, and a unique multicultural identity. These outstanding attributes are exactly why we are bringing the LPGA Tournament to the city. Under its 'Future is in Play' banner, the tournament writes a vibrant new chapter for Hong Kong as an international events destination, igniting a powerful interplay between world‑class golf and this global metropolis.”
Ms. Rachel Li, Co-Founder, Futu, said, “Futu is honoured to partner with the LPGA to bring this elite tournament to Hong Kong. We fully endorse the LPGA’s platform for women pursuing excellence. Sport’s core tenets — sharp judgement, strategic thinking and constant improvement — echo Futu’s ethos of tech‑enabled investor empowerment, long‑term growth and smarter investment decisions. Sport and finance together can generate value beyond competition, where professionalism and excellence become a global connecting language. Rooted in Hong Kong with global reach, Futu backs the HKSAR Government’s Mega‑event Economy initiative. Working with partners, we will use this premium tournament to draw international high‑net‑worth travellers, boost Hong Kong’s economy and highlight the city’s unrivalled charm as Asia’s capital of event. 'Future is in Play' -- the tournament draws on the pull of world‑class players and top‑tier competition to unite and advance Hong Kong’s golf and sporting communities, inspiring youth and the next generation to take up the sport.”
Dr. Jack Wong, Chairman, The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, said, “It is a great honour for us to be selected as the host venue for this highly‑anticipated LPGA Tournament. We look forward to watching the players deliver stellar displays amid Clearwater Bay’s stunning coastal scenery. Committed to excellence, our club pursues a position among the world’s top 500 golf courses. We are proud to host this elite women’s golf competition and back Hong Kong’s rise as Asia’s premier sports and mega‑events destination. Our golf ambassador Tiffany Chan will compete at home — a key career milestone for her and a landmark moment for local golf. We expect her to shine and are confident her appearance will motivate more young Hong Kong golfers to pursue the sport. 'Future is in Play'-- this commitment goes beyond tournament week via ongoing year‑round community initiatives, sports outreach and content ties.”
Mr. Kenneth Lam, JP, President of Golf Association of Hong Kong, China, remarked, “We are delighted to welcome the inaugural Futu Championship to Hong Kong. The LPGA’s debut in the city offers local fans unparalleled access to elite women’s golf and further strengthens Hong Kong’s connections with the global golf community. Committed to the sustainable growth of local golf, the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China believes this world-class tournament and top professional athletes will inspire young golfers and galvanize the city’s sporting talent pipeline. We look forward to collaborating with the LPGA, the tournament organiser, Futu, The Clearwater Bay Golf Club and all partners to establish the Futu Championship as a hallmark annual sporting highlight in Hong Kong. Championed by 'Future is in Play', collaborating partners will co‑create a world‑class sporting IP growing with Hong Kong, transforming the future from vision into tangible “In Play” reality.”
Mr. Sum Huang, CEO, SMK, said, “Hong Kong merits more premium world-class professional sports events worthy of its global-city standing. SMK is committed to hosting multiple years of LPGA tournaments in Hong Kong, starting with the best purse, the best course, and the best partners. SMK endeavor to provide the world's top lady golfers with an unforgettable Asian experience starting from the historic 2027 Hong Kong LPGA tournament. We appreciate Futu’s unwavering backing, which embodies its long‑term vision to promote golf, support women athletes and grow globally from its Hong Kong base. We would also like to thank The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club and all tournament partners for co-creating an exceptional stage for this tournament.”
Ms. Marilyn Tham, General Manager of Mega Events Development & Advancement, Hong Kong Tourism Board also attended the launch ceremony.
The LPGA has also unveiled this landmark new tournament in Providence, United States. The announcement drew in‑person support from multiple world‑class players, including Chinese star Ruoning Yin and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, all of whom voiced great excitement for the tournament’s debut in Hong Kong.
As the anticipation builds for this marquee event taking place next March, the Hong Kong tournament has secured strong backing from a roster of globally renowned organizations. Confirmed official tournament partners include Morgan Stanley, Trip.com Group, Rolex, Tasaki, South China Morning Post and O’Melveny & Myers LLP.
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