The Canadian Women’s Open is set to kick off in Edmonton, while the men’s FedEx Cup playoffs continue in St. Louis and the future of the rebel LIV league hangs in the balance. Here’s a rundown of the key points:
Known as the CPKC Women’s Open, the Canadian stop on the LPGA Tour is back at Edmonton’s Royal Mayfair after an absence since 2013. The tournament boasts a $2.75 million prize purse, with $412,000 going to the winner. Notable players include world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the U.S., who clinched two major championships this season. Missing from the lineup are Haeran Ryu of South Korea, ranked third, and Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, ranked second. Also absent are English players Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
Lydia Ko from New Zealand, ranked 12th globally, is aiming for a record fourth Canadian Open victory. Brooke Henderson of Canada, a fan favorite, secured her second win at the event last year in Mississauga, Ontario. Henderson, the most successful Canadian on a major tour with 14 career wins, including two majors, is hoping to add to her tally in Edmonton.
Among the 14 Canadian players competing this week are three promising teenagers. Sixteen-year-old Aphrodite Deng, who caused a stir last year by leading in the opening round in Mississauga, has committed to Stanford’s golf team in 2028. Clairey Lin, another 16-year-old, recently won the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. Anna Huang, a 17-year-old from Vancouver, has been making waves on the Ladies European Tour, clinching four career victories and currently ranking 45th globally.
In the FedEx Cup playoffs, the PGA Tour is down to its final two weeks, with the BMW Championship in St. Louis followed by the Tour Championship in Atlanta. The Tour Championship offers a whopping $40 million purse, with the winner taking home $10 million. Scottie Scheffler, the current points leader, has secured $23 million in bonus money. Unfortunately, no Canadians progressed past the St. Jude Championship, but those who qualified for the playoffs each received around $180,000 in bonus money.
The future of the LIV Golf league is uncertain, with the season potentially coming to an end. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s withdrawal has left the league in disarray, prompting speculation about its survival. CEO Scott O’Neil is seeking new investors for a revamped tour, but the departure of key players like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed raises doubts about the league’s viability moving forward.
