Chinese golfer Li Shuying poses with her trophy after winning the CLPGA Tour Championship in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province, on November 30, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of China LPGA Tour

The 2024 China Ladies Professional Golf (CLPG) Tour Championship concluded on Saturday in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province with a dramatic twist, as Chinese golfer Li Shuying staged a comeback to claim victory. 

Li's triumph comes just days after the Chinese Golf Association's (CGA) announced a preliminary 2025 schedule that promises more tournaments for both men and women golfers compared to previous years.

While the global men's golf arena remains fiercely competitive, Chinese women golfers are enjoying a promising year, as Lin Xiyu secured an Olympic bronze medal in women's golf at the Paris Olympics, the second Chinese golfer to do so after Feng Shanshan's achievement in 2016. 

Former world No.1 Yin Ruoning, now age 22, clinched three titles on the US LPGA Tour, while domestic circuits saw breakthroughs for young talents like Ji Yuhai and Zhou Shiyuan.  

These developments highlight the significance of domestic tours as the cornerstone of Chinese golf's growth, despite lingering challenges in public perception and market penetration. A robust domestic tour structure is fundamental for fostering professional golf. However, in China, golf's reputation as a luxury pastime rather than a competitive sport has historically hindered its development. 

Professional golf, marked by its integration of career pathways, market appeal and international competitiveness, has struggled to garner widespread attention. This lack of recognition has translated into challenges for domestic tournaments, which face difficulties in attracting spectators, sponsors, and media coverage. 

Consequently, these limitations have stifled the growth of domestic talent by restricting opportunities for competition and exposure. The announcement of the 2025 schedule, with its increased number of tournaments, marks a significant step forward. A steady calendar not only provides professional golfers with regular competition opportunities but also helps nurture a culture of consistency and excellence. It ensures players can develop their skills in a professional setting while attracting sponsors and media interest.  

The CLPG Tour has emerged as a platform uniting top Chinese female golfers with international talent from over 40 member countries and regions. This competition featuring international golfers elevates the level of play and provides invaluable exposure for local athletes.  

The 2025's calendar features more collaborations with international tours, including the Ladies European Tour and LPGA events to be held in China, according to Wei Qingfeng, secretary general of the CGA. Additionally, a new partnership with the Japan LPGA Tour and the exchange of berths between the China Open and Korea Open golf tournaments offers more opportunities for Chinese players to compete on prestigious stages.  

Such events are more than just tournaments but arenas for learning and growth. Competing against world-class players allows Chinese golfers to sharpen their techniques and strategies in ways that routine training or smaller competitions cannot offer. These experiences are crucial for players aspiring to succeed on the global stage.  

However, sustaining this momentum requires ongoing investment in domestic tournaments and junior development programs. International collaborations and exposure are vital, but so too is the cultivation of talent at home. A vibrant domestic circuit ensures that young golfers have the resources and opportunities to refine their skills and transition seamlessly to international competition.  

For golf to thrive in China, a shift in public perception is crucial. It is essential to reframe golf from a niche luxury activity to a legitimate professional sport with broad appeal. The regularization of domestic tours and enhanced international collaboration could be a turning point for Chinese golf.With a growing pool of talent, increasing opportunities for high-level competition, and a steady tournament calendar every year, Chinese golf can build on its recent successes and establish itself as a competitive force on the global stage.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn