Players to Watch
Jin Young Ko – The top-ranked player in the Rolex Rankings returns to action after taking some time off after the AIG Women’s British Open, where she recorded her third consecutive top-3 finish. Ko, a two-time major champion in 2019, is making just her second appearance at the CP Women’s Open where she finished T23 in 2018.
Sung Hyun Park – Ranked No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings, Park returns to Canada where she captured her second career win on the LPGA Tour with her victory in 2017. After winning in her Canadian debut, she had an impressive title defense with a T8 finish in 2018. The former world No. 1 is trending towards a third victory in 2019 as she’s finished inside the top 10 in her last five starts. Like Ko, she’s also making her first start since the AIG Women’s British Open.
Lexi Thompson – The top-ranked American makes her eighth appearance at the CP Women’s Open where she recorded a single top 10 in 2015. Thompson is in the midst of one of her most consistent seasons on Tour with six top 10s, including three runner-up finishes, and a victory in 2019. She also skipped last week’s event in Scotland and is making her first start since the AIG Women’s British Open where she finished T16.
Defending Champion
Brooke Henderson won in fairytale fashion at the 2018 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, where she became the first Canadian to win the championship since 1973. While fans sang ‘O Canada,’ Henderson fired a final round, 65 to capture the seventh victory of her career and moved one step closer to becoming the winning-most Canadian golfer in history. In 2019, Henderson has won twice. Now with nine career wins on the LPGA Tour, she owns the title of winning-most Canadian golfer, eclipsing the record at eight previously held by Sandra Post on the LPGA and George Knudson and Mike Weir on the PGA Tour.
Click here to view the clubs Henderson has played and won with during the 2019 LPGA Tour season.
Quotable
“It's amazing, just surreal. The crowds here have been so amazing all week, and to finish it off the way I did is really a dream come true.” – Brooke Henderson after winning the 2018 CP Women’s Open
This Week’s Aon Risk Reward Challenge Hole
Par 5, 14th Hole - Magna Golf Club
An enticing risk-reward hole, this par 5 runs downhill with a slight dogleg in the landing area over bunkers and a small ravine. This combination makes for a tough decision on how much the player would like to risk and cut off on the drive. A player who is successful with a more aggressive line off the tee will reap the reward from a lot of roll and have a chance to go for the green in two.
Numbers to Know
2001 – The last time the CP Women’s Open was staged in the Toronto area
$2.25M – The purse for the 2019 CP Women’s Open
-23 – The lowest winning total at the CP Women’s Open posted by So Yeon Ryu (2014) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2016)
3 – The number of times Lydia Ko won the CP Women’s Open (2012, 2013, 2015), with her first two victories coming as an amateur
45 – The number of years between Canadian born players winning the CP Women’s Open (Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973 and Brooke Henderson in 2018)
29th – The record number of appearances Lori Kane has made at the CP Women’s Open
About This Week’s Event
Last chance to Make Team USA
The U.S. Solheim Cup Team will be finalized upon the completion of play on Sunday at the CP Women’s Open. The top-8 ranked players in the Solheim Cup point standings will automatically qualify. The top-7 have already secured their spot. Two additional players will qualify based on the Rolex Rankings. Captain Juli Inkster will announce her two captain’s picks after the teams have been finalized. Click here for the scenarios for players on the bubble looking to qualify for Team USA.
Age is Just a Number
Amateur Michelle Liu of Canada, who was the low Canadian at the 2019 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, earned an exemption into the field at this week’s championship. Liu, who is just 12 years of age, will become the youngest player to compete in the CP Women’s Open. Brooke Henderson previously held the record at 14-years-old.
Venue
The Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ontario hosts the CP Women’s Open for the first time in 2019. The 7,300 yard course was designed by Doug Carrick and opened in 2001. The design is built into the hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine and features generous fairways, undulating greens and large bunkers.
Where to Watch
Golf Channel
Thursday, August 22 – 9:30 A.M to 12:30 P.M. ET
Friday, August 23 – 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. ET
Saturday, August 24 – 2:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. ET
Sunday, August 25 – 1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. ET