Pressel to donate half of earnings in Japan return

Published Apr. 20, 2011 1:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

Morgan Pressel is returning to Japan to defend her title, and she will give half of whatever she makes to the American Red Cross toward relief efforts for tsunami and earthquake victims.

Pressel said Tuesday she would play the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup on May 5-8. It will be held at Ibaraki Golf Club and is considered the first major of the year on the Japan LPGA Tour.

Pressel says she holds a special place in her heart for Japan, and she hopes the tournament can help boost morale in the area. The prefecture of Ibaraki is about 150 miles south of Sendai, the area hardest hit by the March 11 disaster. She also says she's honored to have a chance to give back to the country in a time of need.

Pressel's own foundation has raised nearly $2 million toward fighting breast cancer.