Sheehan Faces Challenge, Bradley in LPGA Event

There’s a challenge that Patty Sheehan is determined to meet--to win the du Maurier Classic.

Sheehan, 33, has won two of the last three LPGA events heading into the second of four majors, starting today at the Westmount Golf and Country Club.

“I’m really looking forward to this because it is a major championship,” said Sheehan, who won at the McDonald’s Championship on June 10 and the Rochester Invitational last week.

“Traditionally, I haven’t played extremely well in this tournament. I don’t really have an explanation why, but that’s why I’m looking forward to this week because I have been playing so well.”

Sheehan and Pat Bradley, trying for a fourth du Maurier title, are the only competitors with three wins this year. Sheehan, who also opened the year with a win in the Jamaica Classic in January, would like to be the first to win four.

She leads the LPGA money list with more than $357,000, about $33,000 more than Bradley. It’s the ninth consecutive year she has earned more than $200,000 on the tour, putting her fifth on the all-time list with more than $2.45 million.

Top prize in the four-day event is $90,000 from a total purse of $600,000.

Sheehan had a quick practice round Monday on the rolling, 6,415-yard, par-73 course. She then had an equally quick visit to New York on Tuesday where she received the All-American Collegiate Hall of Fame award. She is only the fourth woman to be so honored in the award’s 26 years.

Back in Canada on Wednesday, Sheehan got attuned to the 59-year-old course being used for the du Maurier for the first time.

“It’s beautiful, old, traditional and in great shape,” she said with enthusiasm. “It’s truly pleasurable to play a golf course that’s in great shape.”