A pair of exciting golf tournaments are set to kick off on Thursday, with the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs concluding at the Tour Championship in Atlanta and the LPGA’s top stars, including a 21-year-old British standout, gathering in Toronto for the Canadian Women’s Open.
The CPKC Women’s Open, the only Canadian stop on the LPGA Tour, is being held at Mississauga Golf and Country Club for the first time in its 52-year history. The tournament boasts a field of 156 players, featuring top-ranked women golfers and 19 of the 22 LPGA Tour winners this season.
Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, the current world No.1, is returning to action after claiming the top spot from American Nelly Korda. Lydia Ko of New Zealand is eyeing her fourth Canadian Women’s Open title, while Australia’s Minjee Lee, ranked fourth, is riding high after winning the Women’s PGA Championship.
Defending champion Lauren Coughlin is back to defend her title, with young English sensation Lottie Woad generating buzz after turning professional following a series of impressive performances.
In addition to the international stars, sixteen Canadians will be competing, led by 13-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson. Henderson, Canada’s top women’s golfer, is aiming to secure her first victory in nearly three years.
Meanwhile, the Tour Championship in Atlanta offers a staggering $40 million in prize money, with the winner taking home $10 million. Canadian golfers Corey Conners and Nick Taylor are in the mix, with Scottie Scheffler favored to secure his second consecutive FedEx Cup victory.
The Tour Championship has dropped the starting strokes format, allowing all players to start on equal footing for a more thrilling competition. Scheffler, with five titles this year, is poised to join the elite ranks of multiple FedEx Cup winners, alongside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.