LPGA: The Tour Heads North for Manulife Classic

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*After a week off the LPGA heads north across the border to Waterloo, Ontario for the inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. The tournament will be held at the Grey Silo Golf Course with a field of 144 competing for a purse of $1.3 million. The Canadian event is one of five new tournaments added onto the 2012 schedule. Although World No. 1 Yani Tseng will not be in attendance this weekend there will be no shortage of star power as Stacy Lewis, Suzann Pettersen, Lexi Thompson, Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie are just a few of the favorites in the field. 

*After taking part in the CVS Caremark Charity Classic earlier this week, Cristie Kerr withdrew from the Manulife Classic citing a sore arm. Kerr stated that she wants to be ready for the next few weeks, which includes the US Open. The third major of the year begins July 5th in Kohler, WI. Kerr notably was forced to withdraw from the Sunday's singles match in the Solheim Cup last September in Ireland. Unconfirmed if it is the same right wrist that is the culprit this time.

*There were several members of the LPGA that took part as well in the CVS Charity Classic hosted by Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade. Representing the LPGA along with Cristie Kerr were Suzanne Pettersen, Lexi Thompson, Yani Tseng, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lincicome and Juli Inkster. Former No. 1 players Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa also took part in the event which was won by Pressel and Jay Haas. Held at the Rhode Island Country Club the Classic has given more than $14 million to various charities and organizations in the New England area since 1999.

*Michelle Wie has kept very busy the past few years juggling life as a full time student as well as keeping a full schedule on the LPGA. Wie now will have a good deal of time on her hands as she graduated this past Sunday from Stanford University. Much has been made of her lackluster season, which has yielded very few positives thus far in 2012. Wie has missed the cut in her last six events and the only two tournaments where she saw action on the weekend were two events without a cut line. She sits 104th on the official money list with just over $16,000. While Wie is not exactly hurting for cash, this may become an issue if she wants to avoid going back to qualifying school. Wie recently started working with Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott best known for their Vision 54 program. They tend to deal with the more mental aspects of the game, which most likely is what is hindering the former prodigy's game right now. Nilsson was interviewed at the beginning of June right after Wie missed the cut at the ShopRite Classic about the state of her new students game.  

"This can easily happen when you're a really good player as a child. Then you enter a period when you turn into a grownup and start to think about things more. It's usually just a phase, and one that many players go through -- Ai Miyazato is a good example -- but very few have to go through it with as many eyes on them as Michelle." She went on to comment about Wie's Achilles heal: her putting. "It's all connected. With Michelle it's the putting, but whether it's that or chipping or driving, it comes from the same place. You have to identify the thing that makes it all work and own that. And that's what we're here to help her do."

It will be interesting if Wie can turn this season around now that she is freed up from her school obligations. The smart bet is that she is way too talented and has too much pride to continue in this downward spiral. 

*Occasionally the Golf Channel stumbles upon a really good idea. Last month at the Sybase Match Play the GC aired part of the pro-am on the Wednesday before the tournament. It looks like the powers that be liked what they saw because they are airing more pro-am coverage this week at the Manulife Classic. It is a win-win for the LPGA and the GC that struggles with relevant golf material Mon-Wed. Not only are players featured but also the sponsors that are desperately needed to keep the tour afloat. My guess is if you keep interviewing the rich guys playing with the ladies on TV, you will have no trouble keeping future events funded. 

Coverage for the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic:

June 21 12:30-2:30 EST GC

June 22 12:30-2:30 EST GC

June 23 3:00-6:00 EST GC

June 24 3:00-6:00-EST GC

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