(30 August 2010 – Winnipeg, Canada)
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American prodigy Michelle Wie secured her second career title with a wire-to-wire victory at the CN Canadian Women’s Open on Sunday. A final round of 2-under par 70 saw her finish at 12-under par for the tournament, three strokes clear of a quartet of players; Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, America’s Kristy McPherson and the Korean pair of Jiyai Shin and Jee Young Lee.
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rnWie and Shin began the final round with a four shot buffer over Pettersen, Lee and the consistent Na Yeon Choi and it would have been Shin, affectionately known as the ‘Final Round Queen’, most would have tipped to come out on top. However, after they each traded early birdies and bogeys, it was advantage-Wie when she made a clutch birdie at the 8th hole to open a two-shot gap after Shin made bogey at the same hole.
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rnAgain the pair matched early birdies and bogeys on the back nine before Wie added another shot to her lead with a birdie at the par-5 14th hole to now lead by three shots with only four to play. She then put the final nail in the coffin after she chipped in for birdie at the next hole to lead by four. She could even afford a bogey at the par-4 17th hole to march down the final hole able to enjoy the experience.
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rnIt was the 20-year-old’s first win since November when she won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, a win many thought may have seen an avalanche of victories for the prodigioustalent from Hawaii. However, she is projected to rise to No.7 in the Rolex Rankings published tomorrow and this win may spark some confidence to see her join the battle for the No.1 spot. 
After her round she commented, “It feels awesome. It feels absolutely fantastic. You know, I just — it&aposs been a long time since November, and it feels great. You know, I just feel like I haven&apost been playing as well as I wanted to the last couple of months, and just really makes me more motivated for the rest of the season.”
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rnOn a side note, the play of Suzann Pettersen has been amazing for someone who hasn’t added a trophy to her cabinet this season. In 14 starts so far, she has finished outside the Top-10 just four times. She has finished 2nd five times, 3rd once, and posted four other Top-10’s.
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rnIt was a solid week from the ALPG contingent with Rachel Hetherington the best, finishing in a tie for 24th after a solid final round of even par 70. It appears from the LPGA website that Rachel announced her retirement after finishing her round and once we find out more from Rachel, a story will be posted on our website. Sarah-Jane Smith was again solid finishing in a tie for 30th while Katherine Hull (T37), Sarah Kemp (T49) and Karrie Webb (T60) all made the cut.
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Phot by Anthony Powter – Rachel Hetherington at the 2009 ANZ Ladies Masters.