MIRABEL, Que. – Michelle Wie can’t wait to get back to Canada and defend her title at the CN Canadian Women’s Open.
The 21-year-old American is still looking for her first victory of 2011 with the top female golfers set to gather at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club in suburban Montreal later this month.
“I’ve never been to Montreal before so I’m especially excited to experience everything about it,” Wie said Wednesday on a conference call. “Being the defending champion I think it’s a great honour to be back. I’m very excited.”
The US$2.25-million event runs Aug. 25-28.
Get breaking National news
Wie earned her second career LPGA victory a year ago at Winnipeg’s St. Charles Country Club, where she finished three shots better than the field and was doused with champagne on the 18th green afterwards.
Her best result this year came at the season-opening event when she finished second in Thailand. Wie hasn’t posted a top-10 since the Sybase Match Play Championship in May.
- ‘Really challenging issue’: Many B.C. communities still at high risk for flooding
- Cold warnings across the Prairies forecast wind-chill temperatures near -45 C
- Canadian military member arrested, charged in foreign interference probe
- Mailing in your taxes? CRA says changes are coming amid push to digital
“(The season got) off to a very solid start and obviously in the middle – you can see from my stats – I didn’t play as well as I want to,” she said. “It’s been a work in progress. Hopefully by the time my next tournament and the Canadian Open comes around I can start playing really good and have a really good solid finish.”
The long-hitting Wie has yet to play Hillsdale, but should find it to her liking. At more than 6,600 yards, it is one of the longest courses the LPGA players will face all season.
She’s hoping a return to Canada allows her to make more good memories both on and off the course.
“I’ve heard (Montreal) has a little bit of a European feel to it,” said Wie. “I always go to places with an open eye and open mind. I just want to eat around and go to different restaurants.
“If anyone has any suggestions for me I’d love to hear it.”
Comments