Zhang Na is China's 1st women millionaire

　　新浪体育讯　XIAMEN (China), Dec 13, 2007: P rofessional golfer Zhang Na is now China's first woman to break into ranks of the millionaire club. This achievement came within a short period of only 10 months.

　　The 26year-old Zhang Na who earned her card to play in JLPGA's Step-Up Tour had an incredible rookie season by winning four events in Japan to earn over USD800,000 (approximately RMB 6 million). She is now ranked fourth in the Order-of-Merit in Japan.

　　In June she recoded her best performance by winning the Suntory Open and pocketed 14,400,000 yen, a week later Zhang Na was again the winner of the Kracie Championship, earning a pay cheque of 23,400,000 yen. The following month, She again lifted the crystal-ware by winning the Axa Open and smiling all the way to the bank with 14,400,000yen. Zhang Na picked up her fourth victory at the Tokai Classic and pocketing 12,600,000 yen. Her total earning as at the end of last month (including other finishes) was approximately 92,000,000 yen that has positioned her fourth on the Order of Merit.

　　"This is my first year playing in JLPGA. I played in 29 events and won four titles. I also missed the cut in four events. I really enjoy playing in Japan, it is a great challenge for me and I coped well with the conditions and social aspects of playing professional golf in Japan," said Zhang Na, adding that she had never expected to see herself earn so much within one-year. "In the past I used to think wow! Tiger Woods is making so much money from golf, now I realize something similar is happening to me – though on a very small scale."

　　From Beijing and by far the most popular among the Chinese women professionals, Zhang Na said: "For me, it is not all about money, but winning tournaments. The money will only come with victory. So my aim is to keep improving my level of playing golf."

　　She said she had gained a lot of confidence and inspiration by playing in Japan. "There have been many things that I have learned and now my passion for golf is even greater than before.

　　Tomorrow, Zhang Na has a chance to add more money to her earnings when she competes in the USD250,000 Orient China Ladies Open at Orient Golf Club here.

　　She said over 100 golfers have been attracted to playing in the Orient China Ladies Open that is also co-sanctioned with the Korean LPGA. "This is why you find a lot of Korean professionals playing in this tournament. The Korean players are the favourites to win. They have their rising star Shin Ji-yai (defending champion), Ji-Eun-hee (who will both be representing Korea in the Women's World Cup next year), Kim Hae-jung and other good players out there. I'm not overly worried about who's who in the tournament but just want to go out there and enjoy playing in the tournament and playing to the best of my ability," said Zhang Na.