History will be made Thursday when the U.S. Women’s Open Championship kicks off at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, a week after Martin Kaymer captured the men’s championship on the same venue. This will mark the first time men and women have played a golf major at the same venue on back-to-back weeks.

The top female players in the world will take the spotlight at the par-70 6,649 yard championship course including five Canadians who will look to bring home Canada’s first U.S. Women’s Open Championship title.

Get to know the Canadians in the field…

Rebecca Lee-Bentham, 22, Toronto, Ont. (@RLeebentham)

• Ranked No. 231 in the Rolex Rankings
• Finished T11 at the 2013 Evian Championship
• 2014 LPGA Tour member
• A member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad

Brooke Henderson, 16, Smiths Falls, Ont.

• No. 3 ranked amateur in the world, No. 308 in the Rolex Rankings
• Finished T26 at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship
• Finished T59 at the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open
• Has won five straight amateur titles (Porter Cup, Scott Robertson Memorial, Sally Amateur, Spirit Invitational and Junior Orange Bowl)
• A member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Team

Sue Kim, 23, Langley, B.C. (@TheSueKim)

• Ranked No. 388 in the Rolex Rankings
• Finished T35 at the 2014 LPGA Manulife Financial Classic
• 2014 LPGA Tour member
• A member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad

Jessica Wallace, 23, Langley, B.C. (@JessWGolf)

• Past Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario Champion (2011)
• Member of the LPGA’s Symetra Tour
• Former member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad

Elizabeth Tong, 21, Thornhill, Ont. (@lizabeth_tong)

• Senior at Indiana University (Division I NCAA)
• Winner of two NCAA titles during sophomore season at Indiana

For pairings and tee times, click here.

PINEHURST, N.C. — With pigtails and plenty of giggles, Lucy Li just wants to have fun like any 11-year-old girl.

Except that she’s playing one of the biggest events in women’s golf.

Li, a sixth-grader from the Bay Area who doesn’t appear to be the least bit overwhelmed by the attention around her, became the youngest qualifier in U.S. Women’s Open history when she shot 68 at Half Moon Bay last month to win her sectional by seven shots.

She celebrated by having dinner at her favorite restaurant and watching “The Amazing Spiderman 2.”

Now it’s time for the amazing Lucy Li show.

“She looks so darn cute,” said Michelle Wie, who didn’t make it to her first Women’s Open until she was 13. “I was like, `I don’t think I looked that cute when I was 11.’ But she just looks so excited, so wide-eyed. … And I’m just really so excited for her to be out. It’s a memory that will last her a lifetime. What other 11-year-old can say that they played in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst? And she got to see the men play, too.”

Life is moving at warp speed for little Lucy Li.

She only became serious about golf four years ago when she set up shop in Miami to work with Jim McLean. Just two months ago, the precocious 11-year-old with a mouth full of braces won her age division in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta National. And now she’s at Pinehurst No. 2, ready to take on the course where Martin Kaymer won the U.S. Open on Sunday.

“It’s awesome, right?” she said. “I mean, Pinehurst and Augusta National in like two months. I mean, that’s just amazing. It’s mind-blowing for me. It’s been awesome, because it’s been … I mean, the food is great and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

There’s something about U.S. Women’s Open in the North Carolina sandhills that attracts all the kids.

Morgan Pressel qualified when she was 12 and had just turned 13 when the Women’s Open was down the street at Pine Needles in 2001 (Li wasn’t even born then). Lexi Thompson qualified and played at 12 when it returned to Pine Needles in 2007.

Too young? Both went on to win major championships.

“Look, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough – or young enough, whichever way you look at it,” Laura Davies said. “If you can play the golf and you can qualify, then have a go. What’s the worst that can happen? She shoots a million this week and everyone says, `Wasn’t it great she was here?’ So I don’t think anything bad can come out of it because she’s too young to worry about the pressure.

“She’s just having fun. She’s got a week off school. It’s perfect.”

Li looked as if she was having a blast on a broiling day of practice Tuesday. She went nine holes with a local caddie. Then, it was time for a press conference, which drew the largest crowd of the day. Her pigtails in braids, held by clips the shape of hearts, she twirled in her chair waiting for it to start.

She giggled before just about every answer, including one about whether her father could beat her.

She laughed. She laughed again. And then she moved closer to the microphone and said, “No.”

But the kid made one thing clear. She’s not out to prove anything. She not out to make history.

“The perfect week? I just want to go out there and have fun and play the best I can, and I really don’t care about the outcome,” Li said. “I want to have fun and learn. I want to learn a lot from these great players.”

She is not the youngest player in Women’s Open history. Beverly Klass was 10 when she played in 1967, before there was qualifying. The youngest player to make the cut was Marlene Hagge, who was 13 in the 1947 Open at Starmount Forest in North Carolina.

Among the favorites this week is Lydia Ko, the youngest LPGA Tour winner in history at 15 in the Canadian Women’s Open two years ago.

Age is becoming irrelevant, though something about the number “11” grabs the attention.

“I saw her on the range this morning for the first time and didn’t really watch her hit any balls – just how little she was, and the pigtails kind of caught me off guard,” Stacy Lewis said. “But I’m not a big fan of it. She qualified, so we can’t say anything about that. You qualify for an Open, it’s a great thing. I just like to see kids be successful at every level before they come out here.

“When I found out she qualified, I said, `Well, where does she go from here? What do you next?’ I don’t know. If it was my kid, I wouldn’t let her play in the U.S. Open qualifier at 11. But that’s just me.”

Li played in the U.S. Women’s Amateur last year at 10. She was the youngest to qualify for match play at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links. The idea to try to qualify for the Women’s Open was “mine.”

“Because I wanted to go out there and get the experience,” she said. “Because it’s 36 holes and I didn’t care if I qualified or not. I didn’t think about it. I just wanted to go for the experience.”

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) -The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is once again expected to draw one of the strongest player fields on the LPGA Tour. In 2013, the event drew 96 of the top 100 players on the Rolex World Ranking.

Lydia Ko, the reigning two-time champion, and World No. 3, will headline a list of past champions who have confirmed their intention to challenge for the US$2.25 million purse at the 2014 CP Women’s Open.

Ko captured the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic earlier this season, her third LPGA Tour victory after claiming back-to-back Canadian Women’s Open titles in 2012 and 2013. The New Zealand teenager will headline a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that already includes six past Canadian Women’s Open champions including, Rolex Rankings No. 4 Suzann Pettersen (2009), No. 11 Michelle Wie (2010), No. 62 Brittany Lincicome (2011) and No. 125 Katherine Hull (2008). As well as No. 10 Cristie Kerr who claimed the 2006 Canadian Women’s Open title when it was last conducted at London Hunt and Country Club.

“We’re two months away from the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open and together with CP and our hosts at London Hunt and Country Club, we are thrilled with how our field is coming together,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director, Brent McLaughlin. “With the world’s best players as well as up and coming Canadian talents set to compete, London golf fans will be treated to an outstanding showcase of golf.”

Canadian LPGA star and Canadian Pacific ambassador Lorie Kane will lead a Canadian contingent that also includes Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. as well as recently announced Team Canada young pro members Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.

Kane, an 4-time winner on the LPGA Tour, joined CP and Golf Canada at a media event to announce the Children’s Health Foundation as the host charity. The Charlottetown native expressed her excitement about the cause.

“The players of the LPGA put a lot of heart into this tour, so it’s very fitting that CP has chosen to focus their charitable efforts on heart health,” said Lorie Kane. I am excited to partner with CP to help raise funds that create a meaningful impact in the lives of children in the London community who suffer from heart disease.  We’re looking forward to hosting a great tournament this year.”

Additional Canadian and international exemptions into the National Women’s Open Championship will be announced in the coming weeks. A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the CP Women’s Open makes its return to London Hunt and Country Club for the first time since 2006.

Players confirmed to compete in the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open:

Lydia Ko
– Two-time Canadian Women’s Open champion (2013 & 2012)
– 3-time LPGA Tour winner
– No. 3 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Suzanne Pettersen
– 14-time LPGA Tour winner
– 2009 Canadian Women’s Open champion
– No. 4 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Michelle Wie
– 3-time LPGA Tour winner
– 2010 Canadian Women’s Open champion
– No. 11 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Brittany Lincicome
– 5-time LPGA Tour winner
– 2011 Canadian Women’s Open champion
– No. 62 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Cristie Kerr
– 16-time LPGA Tour winner
– 2006 Canadian Women’s Open champion
– No. 10 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Katherine Hull-Kirk
– 2-time LPGA Tour winner
– 2008 Canadian Women’s Open champion
– No. 125 Women’s Rolex Rankings

Lorie Kane
– 4-time LPGA Tour winner
– 23^rd on the LPGA Tour’s all-time money list

Rebecca-Lee Bentham
– No. 231 Women’s Rolex Rankings
– Finished T28 at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open; T11 at the 2013 Evian Championship
– Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad

Alena Sharp
– No. 225 Women’s Rolex Rankings
– Two top-20 finishes in 2014 including a T14 at the North Texas LPGA Shootout and T18 at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic 

Jennifer Kirby
– No. 299 Women’s Rolex Rankings
– Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad
– Best finish as a rookie on the LPGA is T36 at the JTBC Founders Cup

Sue Kim
– No. 388 Women’s Rolex Rankings
– Member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad
– Best finish in 2014, T35 at LPGA Manulife Financial Classic

Ticket information for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is available here.

London, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Canadian Pacific (CP) and Golf Canada are pleased to announce the Children’s Health Foundation as the charity partner for the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 18-24 at London Hunt and Country Club. The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will raise funds for cardiac research and care of children from the London area and across Southwestern Ontario.

The selection of the Children’s Health Foundation in London aligns with CP’s organization-wide support of heart health in the communities in which it operates.

“Our railroad recently announced our new North American-wide community investment program CP Has Heart – and the Children’s Health Foundation is our ideal partner to improve children’s heart health,” said Canadian Pacific CEO E. Hunter Harrison. “It’s easy to rally behind this cause: buy tickets to see the best of the best play at the historic London Hunt Club in August and your children’s hospital will realize a direct benefit.”

The “Ticket Rally for Heart” campaign launched today at www.CPwomensopen.com encourages the public to buy spectator tickets for the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open prior to August 17, 2014 as CP will donate $100 to the Children’s Health Foundation for every ticket purchased.  Additional fundraising activities will happen through unique on-site experiences for spectators during tournament week with a social media campaign to be launched in July.

“Approximately 1 in 100 babies are born with some form of congenital heart disease each year, many of whom require medical attention from birth through to adulthood,” said Susan Crowley, President and CEO of the Children’s Health Foundation. “Funds raised from the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will support our paediatric cardiologists at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, to treat children with these life threatening heart conditions. Funds will also go towards innovative research into the prevention of congenital heart disease and improve the quality of life of these children as they mature to adults in Canada and around the world.”

PINEHURST, N.C. – In the final group at a major for the first time, Rickie Fowler was on the putting green about 45 minutes before his tee time with six other players.

All were women.

Defending U.S. Open champion Justin Rose was walking over a bridge when he passed another player headed to the practice range. Rose stopped and turned his head. It was Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden.

Sunday at the U.S. Open was unlike any other.

Even as the men were wrapping up their championship, the women arrived to prepare for the U.S. Women’s Open – the second half of an unprecedented doubleheader at Pinehurst No. 2.

“It’s cool to run into the girls,” Rory McIlroy said. “I would like to see it happen more often. I think it’s a good thing. I think it’s a good thing for women’s golf to give them a little bit more exposure. … I’m going to tune in on and watch next week just to see how they get on around here and see how they fare.”

USGA officials had expressed hope for some cross-promotion between the events. They got that, from Natalie Gulbis taking swings at the driving range to Sandra Gal watching German countryman Martin Kaymer in the final men’s group.

“I hope putting them back-to-back works out,” Phil Mickelson said. “All of the execution from the USGA’s side gets cut in half. You only have to do it once instead of twice, and hopefully they will be able to make it more profitable and put more money back into the game.”

The U.S. Women’s Open begins Thursday.

SAN FRANCISCO – Jim McLean has coached child prodigies at his golf schools around the world for decades, so he thought he had seen just about every kind of young hopeful out there.

Then came Lucy Li.

The 11-year-old from the suburbs south of San Francisco became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open by winning the sectional at Half Moon Bay in California by seven strokes last month. Her journey to Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, where the tournament begins Thursday, is the quickest and most unique of anybody in the field.

A sixth grader with braces and a sharp short game, Li’s family came to California from Hong Kong and she has been training at McLean’s golf school in Miami since she was 7. As he has with many young golfers when they arrive, McLean gave her the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

Li not only read the book. She memorized it.

“She’s incredibly smart,” McLean said. “And an incredibly fast learner.”

That much is clear. Little else about Li’s life is. Her family has declined interview requests, only issuing a statement through the USGA that she is honored to play in the prestigious tournament.

Those who have watched Li’s rapid rise tell a story of a girl who skips down fairways and brings candy bars to club members, a focused competitor with a powerful swing and polished putting, and a youngster whose family has dedicated time and money to grow her game.

McLean said Li is homeschooled through an online Stanford University program and spends the winter months training with him in Miami, where she is watched over by her aunt, Tao Zeng, an eye doctor. The rest of the time Li spends in Silicon Valley with her father, Warren Li, a computer consultant, and her mother, Amy Zeng, a former table tennis player who works in the technology industry, he said. Li’s brother, Luke, studies at Princeton.

McLean said Li’s mother tried pushing her toward other activities such as music, ballet and aerobics. But Li’s brother played golf competitively, and she wanted to be just like him.

“She started to like golf, and then all she wanted to do was golf,” McLean said. “It didn’t come that easy for her. She worked.”

Joby Ross is a golf instructor at Mariners Point in Foster City, just a few short miles from Li’s home in Redwood Shores. Ross remembers Li’s brother and cousin practicing at the course first, but the family later turned their attention to Li after she began whacking a few balls on the range while waiting for them to finish a tournament.

“They were very serious with her more than the other two,” Ross said. “Her mom and her aunt were always with her. They would use the practice and short-game area for hours on end. I’d see them in the morning and they’d bring a lunch with them, and they’d stop and have a little lunch break and continue practicing, chipping and pitching and they’d go onto our grass tee where they could hit shots. It was a pretty extensive practice session for a young kid.”

Ross had his concerns about whether Li’s family pushed her too hard at an early age. A few times, he saw her having a tantrum with her mom and aunt.

“She was crying and I asked, `What was the problem?'” Ross recalled. “She seemed pretty frustrated and I thought, `Well, maybe they were making her be out there too long.’ And they said, `Oh, she’s just upset because we have to leave, and she wants to stay.'”

Hollis Kelley, an instructor at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, said Li plays the course often when she is in California. He said Li is a favorite in the pro shop, where she often hands out Quaker Chewy chocolate chip granola bars to the staff.

“For her size, she has extraordinary power,” Kelley said. “Because of her stature, at this point she couldn’t overpower a golf course. But pound for pound, she’s very powerful. She has a great short game. Her game is pretty boring. She doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. She shoots a couple under par and it just seems like it’s an everyday thing for her.”

Li set a record last year in the U.S. Women’s Amateur as the youngest qualifier at age 10. She also was the youngest in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links to reach match play, losing in the first round to a college player.

Li captured the girls’ 10-11 division at the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt contest at Augusta that preceded the Masters this year. Then she beat second-place qualifier Kathleen Scavo by seven strokes at Half Moon Bay to surpass the mark set by Lexi Thompson, who was 12 when she made it to the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles.

McLean also coached Thompson – along with several other PGA and LPGA players over the years – but thought Li was too young to train when her mother first called him. He said he changed his mind after Li and her mother met with him in Miami, when he saw the family’s commitment and Li’s love for golf.

“I couldn’t turn them down,” he said.

McLean said he has put a heavy emphasis for Li to play the course instead of practice on the range. He said Li has made the biggest strides with her short game since she arrived, and her consistent ball-striking ability and concentration is rare for a golfer of any age.

Even still, he believes making the cut at the U.S. Open is asking “way too much” of Li – and not just because of her age.

“I don’t think that’s a reasonable expectation for anybody playing one LPGA event a year,” he said. “But it wouldn’t be the first time she’s surprised us.”

WATERLOO, Ontario– A week after losing the No. 1 ranking, Inbee Park found her putting touch.

Park won the Manulife Financial Classic on Sunday for her first LPGA Tour title in more than 11 months, matching the course record with a 10-under 61 for a three-stroke victory over Cristie Kerr.

“Definitely, the putter is definitely the key,” Park said. “I’ve been hitting the ball consistently all year, just my putter’s just not been wanting to do its job. This week, obviously, it did its job.”

Park finished at 23-under 261 at Grey Silo for her 10th tour title and first since the U.S. Women’s Open. Last week, Park’s 59-week run at No. 1 ended when Stacy Lewis won in New Jersey to take the top spot.

“I’ve got to say, definitely a little bit pressure off of me,” Park said. “At the same time, I think I needed a little bit of motivation. I just didn’t have any win after the U.S. Open. I was playing good but not great. So yeah, I think last week was a very good motivation and inspiration for me. So this week, I thought I needed to step it up a little bit.”

The 25-year-old South Korean player had only one bogey in 72 holes – on the fourth hole in the first round. On Sunday, she played the front nine in 5-under 31 and added birdies on Nos. 10, 12-14 and 18.

“I didn’t really think about the 59,” Park said. “All I thought about was just trying to bring that trophy home. I knew there was a lot of birdies and the way I played today everything seemed like it was trying to go in. Even if I didn’t make it, it was still close. It’s the first time I putted really well in a while, so I was really happy that my putter’s finally back.”

Park ended a 20-event tour winless streak. Last year, she swept the first three majors and finished the season with six victories. She also won a Ladies European Tour event three months ago in China.

After a week off, the tour will resume play June 19-22 with the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst.

“Obviously, with the U.S. Open in two weeks, I think is a great confidence boost,” Park said. “I think it’s great timing.”

Kerr finished with a 63.

“I never looked at the scoreboard until I came off 17, with a reachable par 5 to see where I was,” Kerr said. “I was three back and I was stunned because I was 7 under for the day. You’d think you’d be close.

“But it was great, a great week. I did great with my focus. I played great. I can’t complain.”

China’s Shanshan Feng, two strokes ahead of Park and Michelle Wie entering the round, had a 68 to finish third at 18 under.

Lydia Ko and Belen Mozo tied for fourth at 16 under. The 17-year-old Ko closed with a 66, and Mozo shot 65.

Lewis and Wie followed at 15 under. Lewis had a 63, and Wie shot 69.

“I just wanted to play well,” said Lewis, the winner last week in New Jersey. “I’ve kind of had some frustrating rounds all week so I just wanted to put together a good round. Still, even left a few out there today, but it’s just nice to see some putts go in kind of leading into the off week and into the Open.”

Hee Young Park also shot a 61 last year in her victory at Grey Silo. She tied for 10th Sunday at 13 under, closing with a 68.

The top placing Canadian was Sue kim, who carded 68 to close the tournament  tied for 35th.

Both Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp had a top 50 finish Sunday shooting 68 and 71 respectively on the final day.

Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad member Jennifer Kirby was not far behind carding 70 to place her in the group tied for 55th and Nicole Vandermade shot 72 to place her in 77th.

WATERLOO, Ontario – Shanshan Feng took a two-stroke lead Saturday in the LPGA Tour’s Manulife Financial Classic, shooting a 4-under 67 in calm conditions at Grey Silo.

The 24-year-old Chinese player had a 15-under 198 total. She made a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fifth, had two birdies and dropped her first stroke of the week with a bogey on the par-4 16th.

“I got off to a very good start, 4 under through six holes,” Feng said. “Then actually, I couldn’t make a lot of putts. I missed a lot of birdie putts, plus one bogey, so actually I dropped back one shot. My goal is to get to 25 under. Of course, now I’m 15, so if I want to get to 25 tomorrow, I need to shoot 10 under.”

Feng won twice late last year after taking the 2012 LPGA Championship to become the first Chinese winner in LPGA Tour history.

“I think tomorrow I have no pressure,” Feng said.

Michelle Wie and second-ranked Inbee Park were tied for second. Wie had a 65, and Park shot a bogey-free 65.

Wie, the winner in Hawaii in April, is seeking her second victory in Canada after winning the 2010 Canadian Women’s Open in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

She rebounded from bogeys on No. 2 and 3 with birdies on Nos. 4 and 6.

“Yeah, quite a shaky start,” Wie said. “I missed a good birdie opportunity on the first hole and I kind of duck hooked it on the second hole and had to take an unplayable, and actually it was a really good bogey.

“Then I kind of hooked it on the next hole, hit it in the bunker. So I just couldn’t get my tempo right in the beginning, but definitely felt like I finished strong. Definitely the start that I had today, I’m really happy with the way I finished.”

Park is winless in 10 tour starts this season after sweeping the first three majors last year and finishing the season with six victories.

“I played really well on the front nine,” Park said. “I holed a lot of putts. I feel like I hit the ball great today. I had a lot of opportunities on the back nine also, but just missed a couple putts. I think overall it was a very good day. Just give myself a chance for tomorrow.”

Cristie Kerr was 12 under after a 65.

“Mentally, I was very good today,” Kerr said. “I’ve just got to take that into tomorrow.”

Third-ranked Lydia Ko and Anna Nordqvist were 11 under. The 17-year-old Ko had a 64, the best round of the day, and Nordqvist shot 69.

Ko, the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic winner in California in late April, won the Canadian Women’s Open as an amateur the last two years.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” Ko said. “There’s always another 18 holes. … I’ve just got to play my own game and see where it goes.”

Defending champion Hee Young Park, tied for the second-round lead with Feng, had a 72 to drop into a tie for seventh at 10 under.

Top-ranked Stacy Lewis was 7 under after a 69. She won last week in New Jersey to take the top spot in the world from Inbee Park.

Alena Sharp shot 65 to sit tied for 23rd, while Sue Kim of Langley, BC is among the group currently tied for 33rd after shooting 67 in round 2. LPGA Tour rookie Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and 16 year old amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths, Falls, Ont. both carded 69 to close the day tied for 50th.

WATERLOO, Ontario – Defending champion Hee Young Park and Shanshan Feng topped the second-round leaderboard Friday in the LPGA Tour’s Manulife Financial Classic, a stroke ahead of Michelle Wie.

Park had a 5-under 66 to match Feng at 11-under 131 at Grey Silo. They are both bogey-free through 36 holes.

“The weather was lot better than first round,” Park said. “I hit a lot of greens. My goal was try to leave uphill putts and that worked well. I think that makes me more comfortable.”

Last year, Park beat Angela Stanford with a birdie on the third playoff hole after they finished at 26-under 258 to match the tour record for lowest total score.

“I have a lot of good feelings on this golf course,” Park said.

Feng shot a 66.

“I’m really happy about my playing today because it’s a bogey-free round again, six birdies,” the Chinese player said. “I think I did pretty well. … I heard the weekend’s supposed to be nice, so we need to go for many, many birdies.”

Wie, the winner in Hawaii in April, followed her opening 65 with a bogey-free 67. She’s seeking her second victory in Canada after winning the 2010 Canadian Women’s Open in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“Just wasn’t getting anything close to the hole today,” Wie said. “Just got a lot of putts close. But yeah, it’s not a really easy golf course. Definitely, the wind was changing a lot today. There were a lot of times where I thought it was downwind and it was into the wind, so that was definitely difficult.”

Anna Nordqvist, a two-time winner this year, was 9 under after a 64 – the best round of the week. The Swede, the winner in Thailand and Carlsbad, played her opening nine – the back nine at Grey Silo – in 5-under 30 and added birdies on Nos. 3 and 4.

“I got off to a really good start. I hit it good all day,” Nordqvist said. “I think I hit all fairways and all greens, so that makes it a little bit easier. I’m a little bit disappointed with the last couple holes because I hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in. Last one I left it about a roll short dead in the middle.”

Second-ranked Inbee Park four strokes back at 7 under a 66.

“I putted really a lot better than last couple weeks this week, yesterday and today,” Inbee Park said. “Even if everything’s not going in, I see it going really close to the hole. So I’m really happy with my stroke and I just need to hit more shots a little bit closer because there’s obviously a lot of opportunities here. Just trying to make a lot of birdies.”

Stacy Lewis was 4 under after her second straight 69. She’s making her first start since taking the top spot in the world from Inbee Park with a victory Sunday in New Jersey.

Third-ranked Lydia Ko also was 4 under after a 67. The 17-year-old Ko, the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic winner in California in late April, won the Canadian Women’s Open as an amateur the last two years.

“I feel great when I play in Canada,” Ko said. “The support is humungous and that’s, I guess, where we get our power and confidence from.”

Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. share top spot among Canadians. The trio are 1-under and tied for 46th.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp has a share of 60th at even par, while Monday qualifier Nicole Vandermade of Brantford, Ont. is tied for 70th at 1-over.

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc (+2) of Sherbrooke, Que., Erica Rivard (+4) of Tecumseh, Ont., LPGA veteran Lorie Kane (+8) and Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham (+11) all failed to make the 36 hole cut.

WATERLOO, Ontario – Michelle Wie and defending champion Hee Young Park shared the first-round lead at 6-under 65 on Thursday in the Manulife Financial Classic at windswept Grey Silo.

Wie, the winner in Hawaii in April, birdied three of the last four holes in her morning round. She’s seeking her second victory in Canada after winning the 2010 Canadian Women’s Open in Winnipeg.

Park had a bogey-free round in the afternoon. Last year, the South Korean player beat Angela Stanford on the third playoff hole after they finished at 26-under 258 to match the tour record for lowest total score.

China’s Shanshan Feng was a stroke back, and countrywoman Xi Yu Lin matched Cristie Kerr with a 67.

Stacy Lewis had a 69 in her first round since taking the top spot in the world with a victory Sunday in New Jersey. Second-ranked Inbee Park also shot 69, and No. 3 Lydia Ko had a 71.

Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson, 16, leads the nine player Canadian contingent. The Smiths Falls, Ont. native who is the world’s No. 3 ranked women’s amateur opened with a 1-under 70. She finished her opening-round with consecutive birdies on Nos. 17 and 18.

Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. were a stroke back after even-par 70s, leaving them tied for 54th.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp, Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane and Erica Rivard of Tecumseh, Ont. were tied for 87th at 2-over 73.

Maude-Aimee LeBlanc (74) of Sherbrooke, Que. was tied for 101st.

Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Brantford, Ont.’s Nicole Vandermade fired matching 75s and were tied for 111th.