Stacey Keating gets start on LPGA Tour
IN: News | LPGA | Canadian Womens Open (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 12 Aug 2008
After a week in France, a week in England and a week off, the LPGA Tour returns to North America this week for the Canadian Open at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in Ontario.
The tournament is being played for the first occasion at the historic Willie Park designed layout at this prestigious facility in the outskirts of the Canadian capital where Lorena Ochoa will defend the title she won last year at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.
The event worth US$2.25 million has attracted a strong field with the leading five players in the world rankings taking part.
After six wins in her first nine starts this season, Ochoa has not won in her last five but she has not been too far from where she needs to be in order to win again. She was 5th at the Evian Masters and 7th at the Women’s British Open which suggests she will again be a significant force this week.
Annika Sorenstam continues her farewell tour in 2008 as she looks to win her second Canadian Open, seven years after her first.
Suzan Pettersen, Paula Creamer and Yani Tseng make up the leading five players, the new world number six and recent Ricoh Women’s British Open Champion, Ji Yai Shin, not in the field.
Michelle Wie’s appearance will be of interest after yet another unsuccessful foray to the PGA Tour at the recent Reno Tahoe Open. Back against an LPGA field and with improving form prior to the event in Reno, she could do well.
The Australian contingent is strong and includes Stacey Keating, who earns her first LPGA Tour following her recent win at the Canadian Amateur.
Wendy Doolan, Rachel Hetherington, Katherine Hull, Sarah Kemp, Karrie Webb and Lindsey Wright make up the rest of the Australian contingent
