Stellar field of LPGA Tour stars and rising talents to include nine of the top 10; 48 of the top 50; and 96 of the top 100 players on the current LPGA Official Money List
14 Canadians, eight former winners and two amateurs to compete at
London Hunt and Country Club
For every birdie made on the 17th green, CP to donate $5,000 for kids cardiac care through Children’s Health Foundation
London, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific announced today the field of competitors set to challenge for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 18-24 at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont.
In all, the 156 player field at London Hunt will feature nine of the top 10 players as well as 48 of the top 50 players and 96 of the top 100 on the current LPGA Tour Official Money List.
Two-time defending champion Lydia Ko headlines a field that includes LPGA stars Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Anna Nordqvist, Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb, Morgan Pressel, Ai Miyazato, Azahara Munoz, Brittany Lincicome, Shanshan Feng, So Yeon Ryu, Angela Stanford and Jessica Korda.
Other notables competing on exemptions include Team Canada members Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. and Jennifer Ha of Calgary as well European rising stars Charley Hull and Stephanie Meadow.
“We’re going to welcome one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour and together with our partners at Canadian Pacific, we are expecting the world’s best professional and amateur golfers to challenge for Canada’s National Women’s Open title,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin.
The winner’s share of the $2.25 million USD purse for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will be $337,500 USD.
A full field list of players set to challenge for the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open can be found by clicking here:
Eight Past Champions to Compete at London Hunt:
Eight of the event’s former champions will be competing at London Hunt including 17-year old two time defending champion Lydia Ko; Brittany Lincicome (2011); Suzann Pettersen (2009); Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008); Cristie Kerr (2006); Meena Lee (2005); Karrie Webb (1999); and Laura Davies (1996). Former champion and money list no. 2 Michelle Wie was forced to withdraw this past weekend with a hand injury.
14 Canadians including two Team Canada Members in the Field:
The current field includes 14 Canadians looking to become the first Canadian to win a LPGA Tour event on home soil since Canadian golf legend Jocelyne Bourassa’s historic victory in 1973 at La Canadienne Golf Championship. Leading the charge are LPGA Tour players Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, P.E.I., Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Richmond Hill, Ont., Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. Other Canadian hopefuls include Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que., Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que. Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., Nicole Vandermade of Brantford, Ont., Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ont., Erica Rivard of Tecumseh, Ont., and Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. Two members of Team Canada will also challenge the world’s best golfers including National Amateur Squad members Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Jennifer Ha of Calgary.
Final Four Spots Available Through Monday Qualifier:
Four additional spots into the field will be determined on Monday, August 18th at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Monday Qualifier at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club.
CP Birdies for Heart:
As an added incentive, title sponsor CP has stepped up to encourage players to make birdies on the 17th Green during tournament play by offering to donate $5,000 for each birdie made to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health programs. CP Birdies for Heart is one of the fundraising activities taking place at CPKC Women’s Open, with all proceeds going to Children’s Health Foundation to support cardiac research and care of children with congenital heart disease from London and across Southwestern Ontario.
To date, CP has committed $550,000 to Children’s Health Foundation, through the CP Ticket Rally for Heart where CP donated at least $100 per eligible ticket sold through August 17, 2014. More fundraising activities will be in play throughout the tournament, with opportunities for spectators to chip in for children’s heart health.
ABOUT THE 2014 CANADIAN PACIFIC WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the inaugural Canadian Pacific Women’s Open from August 18-24 at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship, is proudly sponsored by Canadian Pacific, RBC Wealth Management, CVS Controls LTD., Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, London Hydro, Four Points by Sheraton London and Coca Cola. For information on volunteer opportunities, tickets or corporate hospitality, visit www.CPwomensopen.com, or call 1-866-571-5742.
ABOUT CANADIAN PACIFIC
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is a low-cost provider that is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit www.cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Children’s Health Foundation is dedicated to raising and granting funds to support Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Thames Valley Children’s Centre and Children’s Health Research Institute. Since 1922, funds raised have helped deliver exceptional care and support for children and their families by providing specialized paediatric care, equipment, education programs, therapy, rehabilitation services and research. To learn more about how you can positively impact the health of children, youth and their families, please visit www.childhealth.ca.
GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 322,000 golfers at nearly 1,500 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca
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Media Contact:
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 ext. 406
(c) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca