Daniel Looks for 34th Win

VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada - The LPGA Tour travels north of the border into Canada this week to compete in the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s Open where reigning champion Beth Daniel is hoping to earn her 34th career victory at the Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C., July 8-11.

The LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member ended a nearly eight-year drought with her win at the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s Open last year. She edged out fellow LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame member Juli Inkster by a single stroke and put herself in the history books as the oldest winner in LPGA history at 46 years, eight months, and 29 days.

Daniel broke fellow Hall of Famer JoAnne Carner’s record that had previously stood for 18 years.

Daniel will be facing some talented young competition at this year’s event.
The top two players in the race for the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year honor, Shi Hyun Ahn, 19, and Aree Song, 18, are hoping to be a challenge for Daniel, as well as rising amateur sensation, 17-year-old Paula Creamer. All three teens competed in the U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA last week in South Hadley, Mass.

While a Canadian has yet to win this event, now in its fourth year, there are a few in the field this week who are hoping to make the most of the home-field advantage. Rookie Isabelle Beisiegel will be there, along with Tour veterans Dawn Coe-Jones, A.J. Eathorne, Nancy Harvey and Lorie Kane.

This year, the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s Open field is loaded with 2004 tournament winners. Leading the way will be reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion Meg Mallon, the 2002 winner of the BMO Financial Group Canadian Women’s. Also included in this list are Se Ri Pak, Grace Park, Jennifer Rosales, Kim Saiki and Sherri Steinhauer.

At last year’s event, the final round had various lead changes between the trio of Daniel, Inkster and Saiki. In the end, it was Daniel and Inkster battling it out for the title in the rain. On the 18th hole, Inkster was left with a 12-foot par putt, which she left short. Daniel was able to sink her 6-foot putt to make par and win the tournament.

Daniel finished at 13-under-par for the tournament, a stroke ahead of Inkster, while Saiki tied for third with Park at 9 under par. Rounding out the top five was Pak at 5 under par.

Related links:

Full Coverage - Canadian Women’s Open