Sorenstam chooses not to defend in Canada
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2002 Canadian Women's Open | Preview | 11 Aug 2002
Not exactly clear when the decision was made but defending champion Annika Sorenstam has chosen not to play this week’s Bank of Montreal Canadian Women’s Open. The Swede, who missed her first cut in seventy five starts on the USLPGA Tour last week in Scotland, won last year’s event in Ontario by two from Kelly Robbins. Sorenstam will instead be playing the Compaq Open on the Ladies European Tour
Her absence will no doubt be a disappointment for the sponsors of the event but they are blessed with a very strong field in any case.
Karrie Webb, Rachel Teske, Se Ri Pak, Mi Hyun Kim, Lorie Kane, Grace Park, Gloria Park, Laura Diaz, Beth Bauer and Hee Won Han will ensure that there is plenty of class lining up in Quebec.
Other Australians are Wendy Doolan, Michelle Ellis, Tamie Durdin, Jane Crafter, Jan Stephenson, Mardi Lunn and Carmen Hajjar, with New Zealander Marnie McGuire also in the field.
A new venue this year with the event having been switched from Onatrio to the Summer Lea Golf and Country Club in Quebec.
The event will be played for $US1,200,000 with a first prize of $US180,000.
