STRONGER THAN STRONG FIELD

This week’s 156-player field for the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship includes 99 of the top 100 players on the LPGA Official Money List. The top 50 players on the money list will be teeing it up this week on the West Course at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, New York.

INSPIRING GREATNESS

Earlier today, KPMG hosted its inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit at Westchester Country Club, the site of this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Duke Energy President and CEO Lynn Good served as keynote speakers for the groundbreaking event that included luminaries and panelists from the worlds of business, sport and media. The summit’s concept and primary objective – Inspire Greatness -- were born from collaboration between KPMG, the PGA of America and the LPGA. While speaking to media about the event during a mid-day break, U.S. chairman and CEO elect of KPMG, Lynne Doughtie, said this “is a tremendously exciting day for all of us at the KPMG Leadership Summit … everyone is just riveted by the speakers.” Doughtie added, “it's a great opportunity to create an environment where women feel inspired by current leaders.”

MS. KPMG

Stacy Lewis, the Rolex Rankings #3 ranked player, is affiliated with KPMG, which is the title sponsor of this week’s Women’s PGA Championship. While that relationship has kept Lewis busier than normal leading into a major championship – she participated in the afternoon portion of today’s KPMG’s Women’s Leadership Summit – it also allowed her a unique voice as to how this championship would look, feel and flow. Lewis was pleased to be able to get “in (KPMG Global Chairman) John Veihmeyer's ear a little bit and saying … we could take what we are doing here at our (other) events and turn this into a really big and cool tournament. It was cool for me to kind of pass some ideas around.” She likes how things are shaping up for KPMG, the LPGA, the PGA of America and Westchester Country Club. “The three things were, a big course, a big purse, and network TV, and they killed it with all three,” said Lewis, who added “you walk up 18 and it feels like a big tournament and that was what we were looking for.”

PETTERSEN’S SOURCE OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Suzann Pettersen won last week’s Manulife LPGA Classic to tally her 15th career victory, first since October of 2013. At the end of last season, Pettersen began working with coach Butch Harmon, who was born locally in New Rochelle and his father, Claude, was a long-time head professional at nearby Winged Foot. “Butch grew up playing around this place, so he has a lot of good knowledge. We talked about it,” said Pettersen. She then described working with Harmon as “very impressive so far. Hands on, genuinely interested in trying to make you a better player. And what I like is he's very current. He works with the best male players in the world. He's surrounded by great guys.”

IN SEARCH OF THE GOLDEN PUTTER?

Lydia Ko is the top-ranked player for a 19th straight week and many are asking if Westchester Country Club is the course on which she will capture her first major championship. “I don't feel like I'm a perfectionist, but people say I have that kind of a personality. So sometimes … I try and force it a little bit,” said Ko, who will be participating in her 14th career major this week at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. But what spoils of winning a major championship have caught her attention? The 18 year-old Ko says Callaway provides “a golden putter when you win a major, so I would love to keep one of those.”

THE ACTIVATION OF AN AMBASSADOR

Michelle Wie on Tuesday announced, in conjunction with the PGA of America, that she will serve as an ambassador for PGA Junior League Golf. After having her ambassadorial debut delayed by rain yesterday, Wie jumped into the fray late today as she met and mingled with local Junior League Golf teams from Westchester Country Club and Eisenhower Park.

DRIVE CHIP & PUTT

Three female winners of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition are on site this week at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship: Effie Perakis (Age Group: Girls 7-9, Hometown: Glenview, Illinois), Lydia Swan (Age Group: Girls 10-11, Hometown: North East, Pennsylvania) and Alexandra Swayne (Age Group: 14-15, Hometown: Mainesville, Ohio).

KPMG Women's PGA Championship Pre-tournament Notes

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