Japanese Star Added to Match Play

LADSTONE, N.J. -- Japanese amateur Shinobu Moromizato was added to the HSBC Women’s World Match Play field Monday, receiving one of the two sponsor exemptions available for the 64-player event next week at Hamilton Farm Golf Club.

``I’m honored to be given an invitation to such an exciting new event,’' the 18-year-old Moromizato said. ``I’m very excited to be with the world’s leading women professionals. I really enjoy match play since you learn a lot from your opponent. I want to absorb many skills from the top professionals in the world.’'

Moromizato joins fellow Japanese player Ai Miyazato in the field. The 20-year-old Miyazato earned a spot last month as the Japan LPGA Tour’s money leader.

The top 60 players on the LPGA Tour money list earned spots Sunday following the Rochester LPGA, with Annika Sorenstam easily taking the top seed with $1,503,238. The Swedish star, trying to win her third straight major title this week in the U.S. Women’s Open at Cherry Hills, has six victories in eight starts this year.

The second sponsor exemption is expected to be announced Wednesday and a spot has been reserved for the U.S. Women’s Open winner if she has not already qualified. Brittany Lincicome, 61st on the money list, will get into the field if a player who has already qualified wins at Cherry Hills.

Michelle Wie is not eligible to receive a sponsor exemption because she has already accepted the maximum number allowed by the LPGA Tour, but could earn a spot with a victory in the U.S. Women’s Open.