LPGA announces return of Brazil event

Brazil native Angela Park is expected to play in the HSBC Brazil Cup at the end of May.

The LPGA announced April 30 the return of the HSBC Brazil Cup, an unofficial event that will be held May 29-30 at Itanhanga Golf Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This year's field will feature 27 players, up from 15 the year before. And the purse will increase to $700,000, up $200,000.

David Higdon, the LPGA's chief communications officer, said the tour is working toward making Brazil an official event, hoping to have a stronger presence in the country where golf will make its debut as an Olympic sport in 2016.

The field will feature special exemptions to top players from Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Argentina. The rest of the field will be filled out using the 2009 LPGA Official Money List. Catriona Matthew, the 2009 British Open winner and defending champion in Brazil, is expected to play as well as Brazil native Angela Park.