LPGA TOUR stars to be joined by rising talents Charley Hull and Stephanie Meadow along with Thailand’s Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn
Team Canada’s Augusta James earns exemption after winning the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship
London, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce that Rolex Rankings No. 1 Stacy Lewis, No. 3 Inbee Park, No. 5 Lexi Thompson as well as No. 12 Paula Creamer will join a growing list of LPGA Tour stars who have confirmed their intention to challenge for the US $2.25 million purse at the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 18-24 at London Hunt and Country Club.
Lewis will come into Canada’s National Women’s Open during an impressive season that has seen her capture three LPGA victories. Park, a 4-time major champion, won the 2014 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic for her 10th LPGA Tour victory earlier this season. Thompson meanwhile was the year’s first major championship winner after claiming the Kraft Nabisco Championship, while Creamer added her 10th LPGA title with a victory at the HSBC Women’s Championship.
Lewis, Park, Thompson and Creamer will also be joined by Rolex Rankings No. 27 English teen sensation Charley Hull along with recently turned professional, Stephanie Meadow, who finished third at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open.
In addition, Thailand’s Jutanugarn sisters Ariya and Moriya are set to join the list of international stars set to compete. Ariya Jutanugarn holds a special connection to Canadian golf having previously captured the 2012 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Canadian teen sensation Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. – the No. 2. ranked amateur in the world – headlines the list of competing amateurs after earning an exemption from her Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario victory earlier this summer. Henderson recently finished T10 at the U.S. Women’s Open and will be joined by Team Canada teammate Augusta James of Bath, Ont. who won the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship victory last week to earn an exemption to compete at London Hunt and Country Club.
The players announced today will join a player field of previously confirmed LPGA stars and past champions including two-time defending champion and world No. 2 Lydia Ko as well as 2014 U.S. Women’s Open champion and 2010 Canadian Women’s Open winner Michelle Wie. In addition to Ko and Wie, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Karrie Webb (1999), Cristie Kerr (2006), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008), Suzanne Pettersen (2009) and Brittany Lincicome (2011).
Canadian LPGA star and CP ambassador Lorie Kane will lead a Canadian contingent that also includes confirmed Canadian LPGA Tour players Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.
Additional Canadian and international exemptions will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are very pleased with how the field for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is coming together and expect it to once again be among the strongest on the LPGA Tour,” said Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “With less than a month to go, the golf course at London Hunt and Country Club is in spectacular shape and ready to challenge the world’s best golfers.”
A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to London Hunt and Country Club for the first time since 2006.
Tickets for all tournament days of the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are still available with children aged 17 and under getting in free all week with a ticketed adult.
As an added incentive, title sponsor CP has stepped up to encourage spectators to buy advance tickets to the event for the benefit of the Children’s Health Foundation in London Ontario. Through the CP Ticket Rally for Heart campaign, for every eligible ticket purchased to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open until August 17th, 2014, Canadian Pacific will donate at least $100 per ticket to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health programs.
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.
Contacts:
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(p) 800-263-0009 ext. 406
(c) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca