Lorie Kane has more than 20 appearances in the Canadian Women’s Open under her belt, and her heart is still in it.

This year the veteran LPGA professional is trying to build support for the tournament before taking her swings at the London Hunt and Country Club. Kane is working as an ambassador for the Open’s title sponsor, Canadian Pacific, to try to sell tickets with proceeds going to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of pediatric heart health.

Each $30 ticket sold before August 18, 2014 carries a $100 donation from Canadian Pacific, and with some of the best players in the world on display, Kane figures it’s an easy sell for golf fans and those who want to get into the sport.

“The London community and that part of Ontario is golf-crazy,” Kane said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. “The average fan can feel a part of something and know that by purchasing a ticket their money has gone to help not only run the tournament but also help with the funding of equipment and research and all kinds of things for kids with cardiac health.”

As of Tuesday, Kane said $470,000 had already been raised. She was optimistic that number was just the start with a few more days left in the “CP Ticket Rally for Heart.”

Beyond the fundraising, Kane knows what kind of effect this tournament can have on spectators, especially young ones with a future in golf. World No. 1 Stacy Lewis, defending champion Lydia Ko and 16-year-old Canadian amateur phenom Brooke Henderson are in the field, which also includes Canadians Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Alena Sharp, Jennifer Kirby and Sue Kim, among others.

“Let’s say a young family comes out to the golf course and mom and dad are keen to get their little girl into golf,” Kane said. “That might not be the thing that pushes them over the edge. The thing that will push them over the edge is that they make a connection to someone at this tournament, be it Paula Creamer, Brooke Henderson, Jen Kirby, myself, Lydia Ko – any of the young girls that are out there playing – that’s what drives you to the game, and that’s what will keep them in the game.”

Kane, a 49-year-old native of Charlottetown, has won four LPGA and four Legends Tour tournaments. She has never won the Canadian Women’s Open –  for years known as the du Maurier Classic – but neither has any Canadian since Jocelyne Bourassa in the inaugural event in 1973.

In spite of that, Kane said this tournament makes a positive impact wherever it goes around the country. Part of the goal is that to entice more young women to play golf by having a high quality of competition on the course.

“Nothing is more important to me than growing the game within our country and keeping it strong,” Kane said. “It’s our national championship and we as Canadians, all of us that are in the field, look at it as that.

“For the spectators to come out and see an Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Jen Kirby – you get to cheer for your Canadians and see how they stack up against the rest of the world.”

The tournament is back in London for the first time since 2006 and the third time overall, after hosting it in 1993. Kane expects the crowd support to be even better than it was eight years ago.

“The product the LPGA Tour and the young women that are playing and the veteran ladies that will be there come with a passion for golf and a passion for growing the sport,” Kane said. “The LPGA is very strong and the show that we will put on in London in a week’s time will be one that nobody will want to miss.”

The 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open takes place August 18-24 at London Hunt & Country Club. Tickets are available here.

Lydia Ko says it feels like she’s going home.

The New Zealander became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour when she captured the Canadian Women’s Open at the age of 15 two summers ago.

Ko won again last year, and will headline the field for the 2014 tournament – now known as the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open – when it gets going later this month at London Hunt & Country Club.

“I love playing in Canada and the support I’ve been getting is huge,” the 17-year-old said on a conference call Monday. “To me, Canada feels quite close to what it’s like in New Zealand. It feels really welcoming whenever I go there.

“Having my first LPGA win in Canada, that’s huge and that’s always going to be with me. They always say the first is one of the most memorable and it’s definitely been the case.”

Tournament director Brent McLaughlin said the Canadian golf community has a strong connection to Ko because of the success she’s had the last two years.

“Any time you see young talents just excel you’re proud of them,” he said. “It’s even brought further to the forefront when you feel like you’ve had a part in helping them along.

“People need heroes. They need to rally around heroes and they need a reason to watch.”

Ko was an amateur and didn’t collect any winnings when she won her back-to-back Canadian Women’s Open championships at Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C., and at Edmonton’s Royal Mayfair Golf Club.

She turned pro in October 2013 and has already won two tournaments this season, including the Marathon Classic last month.

“This year has been very exciting, first year on the tour as an LPGA rookie. It’s been a fun year. I’ve learned a lot of things along the way,” said Ko. “I really look forward to going back and playing the Canadian Women’s Open. The last two years, the Canadian Open was a very exciting tournament for me.”

While she’s happy with her decision to play on tour full time, Ko said dealing with the weekly grind has been an adjustment.

“I’ve been trying to balance life outside the course and not over doing it and taking some time off,” she said. “Outside the golf course I do the normal teenage things – watch TV, talk to my friends on Facebook.

“I think that kind of helps me to bring back my life outside of golf and outside of what I do most of the time, and actually be like a normal teenager and talk about school and gossip about things.”

Ko – who was named one of Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in April – is still adjusting to her fame, including being viewed as a role model.

“That’s pretty cool because I’m only 17 myself,” she said. “When I hear these little girls or boys say ‘You’re my role model and I look up to you’ it is kind of cool and it makes me feel like I need to become a better person, a better player so that I live up to what they expect of me.”

Ko is one of a number of big names set play at this year’s Canadian Open in London, Ont., from Aug. 18 to 24, but one player who won’t be taking part due to injury is Michelle Wie.

“She’s such an awesome player and it would have been great to have Michelle there because we all know that she brings a lot of the crowds out,” said Ko. “Hopefully the crowds will still come out. It’s really unfortunate that it happened during this time.”

Meanwhile, the Canadian contingent will be led by 16-year-old Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who finished second at last week’s U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament in Glen Cove, N.Y.

Ko said there is a buzz on tour about playing in Canada, not only for the $US2.25-million purse, but because of how the tournament is received.

“When players talk to each other … they want to go and play and they’re super excited to play. They don’t want to miss out on it,” she said. “It’s been a great experience for me.”

The 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open takes place August 18-24 at London Hunt & Country Club. Tickets are available here.

London, Ont. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are pleased to announce the names of 16 players who have received exemptions into next week’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, set to take place at London Hunt and Country Club from August 18 – 24, 2014.

Headlining the list of exemptions is previously confirmed 16-year old Team Canada member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., fresh off her runner-up finish at this past weekend’s U.S. Women’s Amateur. Henderson, who earned her exemption by winning the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario stop in June, is currently the second ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). She won the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada last month in a season that includes a tie for 10^th at the US Women’s Open and the Jocelyn Bourassa Player of Year Award on the Canadian Women’s Tour. She will be making her third consecutive start in Canada’ National Women’s Open Golf Championship.

Two other Team Canada amateurs have also been offered exemptions including Jennifer Ha, 20, of Calgary, and Brittany Marchand, 21, of Orangeville, Ont. Currently ranked No. 68 on the WAGR, Ha will make her second appearance in the championship. The Kent State University student won the 2014 NCAA Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational and had runner-up finishes at both the 2014 Porter Cup and 2014 Alberta Ladies Amateur. Marchand, ranked No. 71 and a North Carolina State University student, will make her third appearance in the national championship.

Six Canadians competing on the Symetra Tour have also been granted exemptions including Brantford, Ont. native Nicole Vandermade, who won a Tour event earlier this year and sits no. 14 on the Symetra Tour Money List. A five year member of Canada’s National Amateur Team, Vandermade will be joined by LPGA members and fellow Team Canada graduates Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que. and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que. and who sit 15^th and 19^th respectively on the Symetra Tour Money List. The trio will be joined by Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ont., Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Erica Rivard of Tecumseh, Ont. who sit 74^th, 98^th and 122^nd respectively on the Symetra Tour Money List.

Previously announced exemptions include Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. and Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. who joined Brooke Henderson in earning their spots through the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour. Piyapattra is exempt after winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Morningstar Golf and Country Club in Parksville, B.C. while Richdale and Feng received their exemptions based on the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Among the international rising stars granted exemptions are English teen sensation Charley Hull and Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland. Hull is currently ranked No. 3 on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, while Meadow’s professional debut was a third place finish at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. Thailand’s Jutanugarn sisters Moriya and Ariya, winner of the 2012 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship) will also be competing.

The 16 players earning exemptions into Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship will join a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that includes two-time defending champion and Rolex Rankings no. 2 Lydia Ko, Rolex Rankings no. 1 Stacey Lewis, no. 3 Inbee Park, no. 6 Lexi Thompson and no. 12 Paula Creamer.

In addition to Ko, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006) who won the event when it was last held at the London Hunt and Country Club. Previously confirmed past champion Michelle Wie (2010) withdrew from the event this past weekend due to a hand injury that will sideline her for three to five weeks.

The 10 Canucks offered exemptions will join a Canadian contingent that includes CP ambassador Lorie Kane as well as fellow 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.

“The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but alsp the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

CP Ticket Rally for Heart…

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 17^th, 2014, Canadian Pacific will donate at least $100 per ticket to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health programs.

“CP’s advance Ticket Rally for Heart program has already raised over $400,000 for Children’s Health Foundation but I know that London has it in them to raise pre-ticket sales in these final days,” added McLaughlin. “Purchase those spectator tickets early – you buy a ticket and CP donates $100 to support paediatric heart health at the Children’s Hospital. It’s that easy.”

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.

On Monday August 18, 2014, the LPGA will conduct an 18-hole stroke play competition at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club to determine the four lowest qualifiers. Each of these qualifiers will receive exemptions directly into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

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.

BELMONT, Mich. – Mirim Lee won the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour victory, beating fellow South Korean player Inbee Park with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff.

“I (was) nervous 100 percent,” Lee said. “First time in playoff. Inbee Park is like a hero in Korea and all the young girls want to be her now in Korea.”

The long-hitting Lee drove into greenside bunker on the second extra hole – the short par-4 17th – and blasted out to 5 feet. After Park’s 15-foot birdie try lipped out, Lee holed her putt for the victory.

They each parred the 18th to open the playoff. Park’s approach shot hit the cup on the way past and she missed a 15-foot birdie try. Lee two-putted from 35 feet.

The 23-year-old Lee, a rookie on the LPGA Tour, closed with a 2-under 69 to match Park at 14-under 270 at Blythefield Country Club. Park, a 10-time tour winner, finished with a 70.

Lee is projected to jump to 29th in the world ranking. She earned $225,000 to jump from 40th to eighth on the money list with $414,135. Her previous best was a second-place finish in Phoenix in March.

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen was a stroke back after a 69.

Park said the win will give Lee great confidence.

“I think she was kind of, you know, thinking about whether she should come to the LPGA or whether she should stay in KLPGA,” Park said. “but I think this will definitely make her see she made a good decision.”

Park said in the end the new blade putter she put in the bag this week let her down in the last round.

“I felt I hit a good putt, but it just didn’t go in,” she said of the final birdie attempt. “The putter just wasn’t there. It was nice to shoot under par, but Mirim played well in the playoff holes.”

Pettersen, seeking her first win this year after 14 in her career, said she just didn’t hit enough good shots or drives on the back nine in the final round.

“It’s nice to get four solid rounds of competition in,” she said. “I’ve struggled this year, but it is coming. Disappointed to be one short, but it was nice to be back in contention straight after a three-week break.”

With three holes to play, Park, Pettersen and Lee were tied for the lead 14 under, but Pettersen had tree and sand troubles and made a bogey at 16 to fall a shot behind.

Park and Lee each missed birdie chances at the 17th. On the 18th, Lee two-putted for par from 40 feet, and Park made a 6-foot par putt.

Pettersen, who was playing in the group in front of Park for the day, birdied the first two holes and eagled the par-5 fifth – hitting a 3-wood shot to 6 feet – to tie Park at 15 under.

Lee birdied the par-5 11th to pull within a shot of Park.

After 10 consecutive pars, Park three-putted the par-3 14th for a bogey. It happened about the same time Pettersen was punching a shot from the trees to eight feet at 15 to set up a birdie and another tie.

Lee, trailing most of the day by a shot or two, then joined Park and Pettersen at 14 under with a 5-foot birdie putt at 15.

Japan’s Haru Nomura was fourth at 10-under after a 68. Germany’s Sandra Gal, the first-round leader, was another stroke back after a 66.

Top-ranked Stacy Lewis had her best round of the week with a 66 to tie for 11th at 6 under.

The tournament was the first LPGA Tour event in Michigan since 2000 when the Oldsmobile Classic in East Lansing ended its nine-year run.

Three Canadians played Sunday in Michigan. Lorie Kane finished at 1-over 285 and tied for 42nd. Alena Sharp tied for 50th, finishing at 2-over 286 and Rebecca Lee-Bentham tied for 67th 5-over 289.

BELMONT, Mich.  – Inbee Park figures the best defense against the nerves that come with being in the lead is a hot putter.

Using a new blade putter this week, Park made two long birdie putts on the back nine Saturday and finished with a 3-under 68 to remain a stroke ahead after the third round of the Meijer LPGA Classic.

“I feel like I haven’t holed that kind of putt for a long time and it’s all of a sudden happening this week,” Park said. “This putter, it seems like it’s going really on line and I feel like I’m stroking the ball better this week.”

The third-ranked South Korean player holed a 25-footer from the fringe on the par-3 14th, bogeyed the par-4 15th after missing a 3-foot par try and rebounded with a 35-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th.

The 26-year-old Park won six times last season and took the Manulife Financial in June in Canada for her 10th LPGA Tour title. She had a 13-under 200 total at Blythefield Country Club.

“I think it would have been nice if I had probably two- or three-(shot lead),” Park said. “That gives me more breathing room, but one is still better than nothing. I’m in better position than everybody else.”

South Korean rookie Mirim Lee was second after a 67. Norway’s Suzann Pettersen was another stroke back after a 69.

Cristie Kerr matched the low round of the tournament with a 64 to jump 44 spots to a tie for 12th at 5 under. She hit 10 of 13 fairways and had only 26 putts.

Park, using a blade putter instead of a mallet for the first time since 2008, birdied the first hole and stayed in front until Pettersen birdied Nos. 7 and 8 to tie for the lead. The tie lasted one hole before Park rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt at the ninth.

Pettersen birdied the par-4 13th with a 20-footer to tie again, only to have Park roll in the 25-footer from the fringe at 14. Pettersen then matched Park’s bogey at 15, also missing a 3-foot par try.

That’s when Lee slipped in between the two with birdies at Nos. 15 and 16.

Pettersen, who for much of last year was No. 2 in the rankings to Park’s No. 1, said she struggled with her game, gusty wind and greens that are firming up.

“Overall it was one of those days where you just fight to stay in it,” said Pettersen, ranked fourth in the world. “I didn’t have the greatest of feels throughout the round. There were a lot of challenges out there, and there will be as many tomorrow and hopefully I can do just a little better.”

Park, who shot 66 in each of the first two rounds, said it was easily the toughest day of the three.

“The wind was quite tricky to me,” she said. “I played pretty consistent again, but the golf course was tougher, the conditions harder. I have to stay consistent and keep rolling in some putts.”

Park knows very little about Lee.

“I know she’s from Korea and she played on the KLPGA Tour, and I know she’s hitting it quite long from seeing it from behind today,” Park said. “Except for that, I really don’t have much information. Obviously she played quite solid for three days.”

Lori Kane leads the Canadians carding 71 in the third round to sit tied for 43rd. Alena Sharp and and Rebecca Lee-Bentham shot 74 and 75 respectively to share 60th.

Michelle Wie announced today that she will miss three to five weeks of competitive golf due to a stress reaction in a bone of the index finger on her right hand. After withdrawing from this week’s Meijer LPGA Classic, Wie was examined by hand surgeon Dr. Tom Graham at the Cleveland Clinic, who made the diagnosis and will consult with Michelle on her return to golf this year.

“I was looking forward to playing the next three weeks,” said Wie, who will now miss the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club. “It’s honestly one of my favorite stretches on tour. It’s extremely disappointing to miss these events, but I am relieved to have a proper diagnosis.”

“Michelle has developed an ‘acute-on-chronic’ injury influenced by the volume in which she practices and plays,” said Dr. Graham. “Michelle is very aware of her body and was keen to pick up on this injury before it may have created a more severe problem.”

“Seven years ago, I would have tried to play through this injury and it is important to me not to make that mistake again,” Wie added. “I feel more comfortable now listening to my body and, while it’s hard to miss this stretch of events, I know I will be better suited to continue a great year and finish strong.”

Graham described that injuries of this severity typically requires about three to five weeks of limited practice and play before returning to competition. He also treated Wie several years ago when she broke her wrist.

BELMONT, Mich. – Inbee Park found a new putter – and her old touch.

The South Korean player took the second-round lead Friday in the Meijer LPGA Classic, birdieing her first three holes en route to her second straight 5-under 66.

The third-ranked Park finished on the front nine, adding birdies on the par-5 fifth and eighth holes in her bogey-free round at Blythefield Country Club. She won six times last year and took the Manulife Financial in June in Canada for her 10th LPGA Tour title.

“My putting feels like I’m back to last year,” Park said. “Hopefully, I can hole some more putts the next two days.”

After using a mallet putter since 2008, Park tried a friend’s blade putter Tuesday and started making putts. She hasn’t stopped since with 27 putts in each round after having TaylorMade quickly make her an identical version.

“I just never used that style of putter for a long, long time and I just wanted to have a change because I tried everything else and it didn’t really work,” she said. “This was pretty much my last option.”

She said the improved putting was especially obvious in the second round.

“Yesterday I hit a lot of the shots closer, but today I made 15 to 20-footers, at least a couple of them,” she said.

Fourth-ranked Suzann Pettersen was a stroke back. The Norwegian player matched the course record with a 64.

South Korea’s Mirim Lee also shot 64 to reach 8 under, and South Korea’s Amy Yang was fourth at 7 under after a 67.

Second-ranked Lydia Ko, the 17-year-old New Zealand player coming off a victory in the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, was tied for fifth at 5 under after a 68. Germany’s Sandra Gal, the first-round leader, also was in the group at 5 under, following her opening 65 with a 72.

Top-ranked Stacy Lewis, a three-time winner this year, was even-par after a 72.

Pettersen, who won the last of her 14 LPGA Tour titles last year, is coming off a three-week break from competition, but free from back pain that hampered her earlier this year and eager to play again. She said it was nice to go low.

“It’s not like the easiest course if you miss the fairways,” she said. “I just tried to play to my strength, hit fairways, hit greens and I made a couple of putts.”

Lee said she hit the fairways and made long putts. She was clearly elated with her play.

“Best round,” she said.

Ko seemed surprised to be in the hunt and admitted she isn’t hitting the ball well.

“I had to make an up-and-down a lot of times,” she said. “I mean, I was kind of struggling with my long game but luckily my chipping and short game worked really well.”

Pettersen, who played in the same group, called Ko the chipping queen on the tour.

“It’s just phenomenal to see such a great touch around the greens,” she said.

Women’s British Open winner Mo Martin withdrew Friday morning because of a thumb injury. It was unclear if she will play next week in the LPGA Championship.

U.S. Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie withdrew after nine holes Thursday because of a wrist injury.

Rebecca Lee-Bentham is the leading Canadian, sitting tied for 25th at 1-under 141.

Alena Sharp and Lorie Kane also made the 36-hole cut, while Jennifer Kirby and Sue Kim had their week’s cut short.

BELMONT, Mich. – Sandra Gal made six straight birdies on her back nine Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic, while Michelle Wie withdrew because of a wrist injury.

Gal, the 29-year-old German who won her lone LPGA Tour title in 2011, birdied Nos. 3-8 and finished with a par on No. 9 for a 6-under 65 at Blythefield Country Club.

“I was in a zone, I was really relaxed,” Gal said. “I was talking a lot to my caddie and to my playing partners, just kind of letting it happen instead of forcing it.”

Wie was 5 over after nine holes when she pulled out. She fought injuries to both wrists in 2007.

“It just started hurting last week and kept getting worse,” Wie said in the parking lot outside the medical trailer. “It got to the point where I really couldn’t hold a club today. I’m going to try and get an MRI right now and see what my next steps are. So we’ll see.”

The U.S. Women’s Open winner in June for her second victory of the year, Wie said she hoped to be able to play next week in the LPGA Championship _ the fourth major championship of the season.

South Korea’s Inbee Park was a stroke behind Gal.

Australia’s Katherine Kirk opened with a 67, and Azahara Munoz was another stroke back along with IIhee Lee, Katy Harris, Gerina Piller, Amy Young and Line Vedel.

Second-ranked Lydia Ko, the 17-year-old star coming off a victory in the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, matched Paula Creamer with a 69, and top-ranked Stacy Lewis shot 70.

Gal played in the morning wave in the LPGA Tour’s first regular tournament in Michigan since the Oldsmobile Classic ended its nine-year run in East Lansing in 2000.

Gal said her birdie run, which tied the best string on the tour this season, was a combination of hitting her iron shots inside 10 feet on each of the holes and then making solid putting strokes.

“You have to be on the right side of the hole to have chances at birdies and I was on the front nine,” she said. “I like this old-style type course and the greens are perfect. There were no long putts, just solid ones after good iron shots and I hit a couple real close, like 3 or 4 feet. It was a little bit of everything.”

Park has one victory this year after winning six times last season.

“Everything was working really well today, especially the iron shots,” she said. “The greens are rolling really well, too. They’re rolling really true. I hit a lot of good putts so that’s giving me confidence going into the next three days.”

Lewis, who has three wins and 13 top-10 finishes this year, said she played better than she scored.

“I’ve been working on a few things with my golf swing and was pretty happy actually with the way I hit it _ just had a bunch of putts right over the edge,” Lewis said. “Overall, pretty happy with it even though the score is not quite what I was looking for.”

Ko had the same issue with putts just missing.

“The golf course is in great shape so the birdies are there to be made,” she said. “I just didn’t make as many as I would have liked. I really like the way I’m playing, though.”

Canada’s Alena Sharp, Lorie Kane and Rebecca Lee-Bentham are all in a group tied for 21st.

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) –  Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif., Team Canada amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. and Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. have all earned exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. August 18-24, based on their play during the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season.

The 16-year old Henderson, currently the no. 2 ranked amateur golfer in the world, captured the second Canadian Women’s Tour stop of the season in Niagara Falls, Ont. at Legends on the Niagara as well as the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. Although previously exempt into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Henderson shot rounds of 65-66 (-13) to win the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship by five strokes.

Henderson’s play this season earned her the prestigeious Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award and Amateur of the Year honours as she finished the season atop the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Piyapattra earned her exemption into Canada’s Women’s National Open Championship after winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Morningstar Golf and Country Club in Parksville, B.C., in a playoff.

Samantha Richdale and Simin Feng received the final two exemptions based on the 2014 Order of Merit standings at the end of season. The duo finished tied for fourth at the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship to secure their exemptions from the Order of Merit.

The exemptions were announced at the conclusion of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship which served as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour.

A final listing of the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit can be found here.

Additional exemptions into Canada’s National Women’s Open Champion will be announced in the coming weeks.

The exemption contingent from the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season will join a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that includes a number of confirmed LPGA Tour stars including two-time defending champion and Rolex Rankings no. 2 Lydia Ko, Rolex Rankings no. 1 Stacey Lewis, no. 3 Inbee Park,  no. 5 Lexi Thompson and no. 12 Paula Creamer.

In addition to Ko, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006) who won the event when it was last held at the London Hunt and Country Club.

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.

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) –  Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif., Team Canada amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. and Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. have all earned exemptions into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. August 18-24, based on their play during the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season.

The 16-year old Henderson, currently the no. 2 ranked amateur golfer in the world, captured the second Canadian Women’s Tour stop of the season in Niagara Falls, Ont. at Legends on the Niagara as well as the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship at Firerock Golf Club in Komoka, Ont. Although previously exempt into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Henderson shot rounds of 65-66 (-13) to win the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship by five strokes.

Henderson’s play this season earned her the prestigeious Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award and Amateur of the Year honours as she finished the season atop the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Piyapattra earned her exemption into Canada’s Women’s National Open Championship after winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Morningstar Golf and Country Club in Parksville, B.C., in a playoff.

Samantha Richdale and Simin Feng received the final two exemptions based on the 2014 Order of Merit standings at the end of season. The duo finished tied for fourth at the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship to secure their exemptions from the Order of Merit.

The exemptions were announced at the conclusion of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship which served as the third and final stop on the Canadian Women’s Tour.

A final listing of the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit can be found here.

Additional exemptions into Canada’s National Women’s Open Champion will be announced in the coming weeks.

The exemption contingent from the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour season will join a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that includes a number of confirmed LPGA Tour stars including two-time defending champion and Rolex Rankings no. 2 Lydia Ko, Rolex Rankings no. 1 Stacey Lewis, no. 3 Inbee Park,  no. 5 Lexi Thompson and no. 12 Paula Creamer.

In addition to Ko, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006) who won the event when it was last held at the London Hunt and Country Club.

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.