WATERLOO, Ont. — Former world No. 1 Yani Tseng and sponsor exemptions Jennifer Kirby and Brooke Henderson have been added to the field for next month’s Manulife Financial LPGA Classic at Grey Silo Golf Club.
They join an entry list that includes top-ranked Inbee Park, former CN Canadian Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie and Canadian veteran Lorie Kane.
"Based on the quality of the field committed to this year’s tournament, it’s very clear that we can look forward to another year of world-class competition," said Manulife president Marianne Harrison. "In addition to the top female golfers from around the world, like Yani Tseng, we’ve just added two of the top young players from Ontario and I’m sure our local spectators will enjoy watching their progress."
Tseng, currently ranked seventh in the world, has won five major titles over her career. The 24-year-old from Taiwan owns 15 LPGA Tour victories in all.
Kirby, a recent University of Alabama graduate, won her pro debut at the CN Canadian Women’s Tour Quebec event this year. The Paris, Ont., native was a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2012 NCAA Division I championship golf team.
Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., is Canada’s top-ranked amateur golfer. The 15-year-old finished third at the 2013 CN Canadian Women’s Tour Quebec event.
"The talent of these young players is remarkable and it is great to have the opportunity to showcase some of Canada’s rising stars," said tournament director Richard Kuypers. "Being just weeks away from the tournament, we eagerly await the return of the world’s best female golfers to compete in Waterloo."
Brittany Lang won the inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic last year.
