Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, one of the most successful female golfers in history, arrived in Taiwan Tuesday for the first time to compete in the annual "Swinging Skirts" golf tournament.

The former world No. 1 female golfer, accompanied by her mother, arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to a warm welcome by her fans, to whom she said "thank you" in Chinese.

Sorenstam said she was very excited to be in Taiwan, where world No. 1 player Yani Tseng is from.

"I look forward to spending some time with her (Tseng)," Sorenstam said.

"It's going to be a great week and I look forward to it," she added.

If the chance arises, she would like to visit Taiwan's famous night markets, she said.

In addition to Sorenstam, 2010 U.S. Women's Open Champion Paula Creamer of the United States, also arrived in Taiwan Tuesday.

Christie Kerr of the U.S., Se Ri Park, Ji Yai Shin and Na Yeon Choi of South Korea are already in Taiwan preparing for the event.

A charity skins game will be played Dec. 6 at the Miramar Golf and Country Club in Linkou, New Taipei, and it will be followed by the 54-hole invitational played by 95 players over three rounds Dec. 7-9, according to the organizers.

Competitors in the charity game will vie for US$100,000 in prize money, half of which will be donated to charity. The tournament, which has a total purse of US$1.01 million this year, has become an official leg for both the Taiwan Ladies Professional Golf Association and the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour.

Swinging Skirts is a private organization made up of both men and women amateur golfers, although professional players are also invited to attend. Its members wear skirts or kilts when they play, and all competitors, caddies and course referees are expected to do the same during the tournament.

(BY Bien Chin-feng and Lilian Wu)
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