China is set to open its first ever LPGA tournament in October with a drawing power of $1.8 million in prize money.

In line with the Beijing Olympics, China continues to prove their worth as a sports superpower with the Grand China Air Tournament. Golf has gripped Asia in recent years and has since spread far and wide to include China. In fact, six events in the European Tour were held in China last year.

The event will headline in the Hainan West Coast Golf Club in Haikou which is tagged the "Hawaii of the East" from October 24 to 26.

Golf's World No. 2 Annika Sorenstam will top bill the event this year with the hope of claiming the title. Sorenstam said that she was excited to have the chance to be the first champion of an event that in years will be the biggest we have on the tour.

Sorenstam has over $22 million in earnings and has won some of the tour's most highly lucrative events.

Players from around the world will converge on China this year and Taiwanese starter Yani Tseng who ranks sixth in terms of record earnings will also headline the tournament.