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Female golfers are gathered in Japan this week for the first of four major golf tournaments. This first tournament is in Ibaragi, just south of Fukushima prefecture, which was severely affected by the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Female golf players from around the world are gathering in Japan to participate in the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup.
The tournament is the first of four major tournaments in the Japan Ladies Professional Golfer's Association tour. Practice rounds are conducted Tuesday and Wednesday and the tournament begins on Thursday.
The tournament is being held at the Ibaraki Golf Club in Ibaraki, just south of Fukushima prefecture, which was badly hit in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Thousands of people have been evacuated from Fukushima, due to fears of radiation from a damaged nuclear plant.
Defending champion Morgan Pressel has returned to Japan for the tournament and is dispelling any fears about radiation from Fukushima.
[Morgan Pressel, Defending Champion]:
"I guess the only thing I'm worried about right now is an earthquake, because I've never felt an earthquake. I wouldn't know what it would feel like. But you know with the radiation, I think we're far enough out of the way and you know I felt like I really needed to come back and, the country needs something like sports to lift it back up and give something people to be excited about."
The 22-year-old Floridian is making a monetary gesture to help those affected by the disaster.
[Morgan Pressel, Defending Champion]:
"I felt that Japan has given me a lot, so this week I will donate half of my earnings to the relief efforts through the American Red Cross. I'm really looking forward to play well and hopefully donating a lot of money. That's my goal this week for sure."
