WENDY’S CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CHILDREN

Seven of LPGA’s top 10 money-winners will play

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Bob Baptist

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The four he had in hand yesterday were worth more to Kip Eriksen than the two who chose to stay in the bush.

No Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie? No worries. The Wendy’s Championship for Children next week will have Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel.

"Young American players who are expanding the fan base," said Eriksen, the tournament director. "They’re the ones moving the (television ratings) needle. It’s great to have them here."

The LPGA released a field of 136 players yesterday for the eighth annual tournament, which is Aug. 24-27 at Tartan Fields Golf Club. The tournament gave one of its two sponsor’s exemptions to UCLA sophomore Jane Park, who tied for 10 th in the U.S. Women’s Open in July. Seven more spots will be filled by Tuesday, most by alternates.

Two players who had committed to play, 2003 champion Hee-Won Han and Se Ri Pak, did not enter. Eriksen said Han is playing in Korea instead. Pak’s change of heart was unexpected.

The field includes seven of the LPGA’s top 10 money-winners, including the top two, Lorena Ochoa and Karrie Webb.

It also includes five of the previous seven champions of the tournament: Lorie Kane, Wendy Ward, Mi Hyun Kim, Catriona Matthew and Kerr, who beat Sorenstam and Creamer by one stroke last year.

Players with central Ohio ties who entered are Columbus native Kristal Parker-Manzo, Zanesville native Michele Redman, Emily Bastel of Upper Sandusky, Tammie Green of Somerset and former Ohio State golfers Cathy Gerring and Allison Hanna. Two other former Buckeyes and LPGA veterans, Rosie Jones and Meg Mallon, did not enter.

bbaptist@dispatch.com