LPGA heads north for Canadian Women's Open
IN: News | LPGA | Canadian Women's Open (2006) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 09 Aug 2006
The LPGA returns to North America this week but is in Canada for the Canadian Open at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ontario.
The quaintly named London Hunt and Country Club is one of the longer courses the LPGA plays in its regular tour events. At 7615 yards it is a Robert Trent Jones designed layout opened in 1960. In 1999 Rees Jones, the son of Robert Trent Jones added several new tees, relocated and added fairway bunkers, and removed trees that over the years had encroached on some of the original strategies of the course.
The course has previously hosted an LPGA Tour event, a major in fact, when in 1993 Brandie Burton won the du Maurier Classic.
This year's field is affected by the tournament, which Annika Sorenstam is hosting in Sweden with Lorena Ochoa and last week's British Open winner Sherri Steinhauer all in Stockholm this week.
That aside the field still has several of the LPGA Tour's stars present. Cristie Kerr put together a great weekend at Royal Lytham & St Annes to finish in a share of second to Sherri Steinhauer there. She was 10th at the Evian Masters and has shown a capacity to play the tough courses well.
Se Ri Pak was disappointing at the British Open when withdrawing after her first round of 78. She has been in great form prior and it would not surprise anyone to see her bounce back on this demanding layout.
Pat Hurst has again slipped into oblivion following her great week at the US Open. She missed the cut at the British Open but had been playing well previously. The weekend off will not have done her any harm, apart from on the money list, and she could well bounce back this week.
Meena Lee is the defending champion but she has struggled of late and might be found out on this longish layout.
Mi Hyun Kim was going well prior to her missed cut at last week's event near Blackpool but it would not surprise to see her back contending again and perhaps win for the third time in 2006.
Local star Lorie Kane did well in Britain, her third round of 65 catapulting her into an eventual share of sixth. She actually holed in one at the 12th hole in her final round also. The forty one year old is primed for a good week in front of her fans.
Rachel Hetherington heads the Australians but it could well be Lindsey Wright who could top the down-under brigade. Wright was very much in contention with eight holes to play at the British Open but struggled over the closing holes to finish 31st. If she is able to put that behind her she should continue her recent improvement.
Katherine Hull finished runner up to Meena Lee in this event twelve months ago but she is a long way from that form now. It would be a great surprise if she was able to repeat that effort in 2006. Nadina Light is also in the field.
The tournament has prizemoney of US$1.7 million.
