SINGAPORE: Former winner Ai Miyazato pulled out of the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore yesterday as she battles whiplash injuries from a car crash which also left American star Paula Creamer struggling to recover.
The Japanese world number nine said she had stiffness in her neck, back and shoulders after Sunday’s five-car pile-up in Bangkok as the players were en route to the airport following the Honda LPGA Thailand.
“I still have some stiffness in my neck, shoulder, and back area but it is also a precautionary measure so as not to risk further injury this early in the season,” the 2010 champion said in a statement, adding that she was “very disappointed”.
Creamer also cut short her appearance in yesterday’ pro-am to seek extra treatment. But the American tweeted that she hoped to tee-off when action starts today.
World number one Tseng Yani heads a field featuring most of the globe’s best players at the $1.4m event, considered the most prestigious women’s golf tournament in Asia.
The “Pride of Taiwan”, winless for nearly a year, has started the season with back-to-back top-three finishes, and believes staying at number one was not her main concern.
“World number one is not as important as before now,” said the 24-year-old yesterday. AFP
