June 11, 2015 --- The inaugural KPMG Women's PGA Championship—a unique collaboration of KPMG, the PGA of America, and the LPGA Tour, and golf's only major championship in the New York Metro area this year— has officially started in Westchester. The event will take place through Sunday, June 14 at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison.

Two-time defending champion Inbee Park heads a list of 22 major champions, who will compete in the 2015 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Park, who captured back-to-back titles in 2013 and '14 among her four career majors, will be joined by nine past Women's PGA Champions: Laura Davies (1994, '96); Se Ri Pak (1998, '02, '06); Juli Inkster (1999, 2000); Karrie Webb (2001); Suzann Pettersen (2007); Yani Tseng (2008, '11); Anna Nordquist (2009); Cristie Kerr (2010); and Shanshan Feng (2012).

"Westchester County loves golf – it is home to some of the greatest golf courses in the world," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "Westchester is also proud of the women who are part of its impressive list of entrepreneurs and business leaders. So, I can't think of a better stage to host not only this prestigious golf tournament but also a professional summit that will empower younger generations of women to strive for greatness on and off the course. Thank you to KPMG, PGA of America and the LPGA for selecting Westchester to showcase this inspiring platform."

The KPMG Women's PGA Championship features a $3.5 million purse, among the highest in women's golf. The Championship will be operated by the PGA of America in partnership with the LPGA.
World No. 1-ranked Lydi Ko will be making her third consecutive Women's PGA Championship appearance, and second as a professional. She finished third last year.

Among those making their Women's PGA Championship debut is Canadian star Brooke Henderson, 17, who finished third in the recent Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic in San Francisco. She received a special invitation to play in the Championship.
The roster of major champions in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship include: Na Yeon Choi; Paula Creamer; Davies; Feng; Eun-Hee Ji; Inkster; Stacy Lewis; Brittany Lincicome; Catriona Matthew; Nordquist; Pak; Park; Morgan Pressel; So Yeon Ryu; Lexi Thompson; Kerr; Mo Martin; Pettersen; Tseng; Webb; Michelle Wie; Sun Young Yoo.

"An event like the KPMG Women's PGA Championship is a great example of the kind of world class events that we enjoy bringing to Westchester County," said Natasha Caputo, Director of Westchester County Tourism. "We are enthusiastic about the return of professional golf to the county. We encourage everyone to 'Meet Me in Westchester' and enjoy the thrill of the game."

The Westchester Country Club has been ranked 12th of 4,000 private Clubs in the United States and maintains its status as a "Platinum Club." The country club offers two Championship Golf Courses and a 9-hole Executive Course. The West Course continues to be a regular location for professional golf events including the Westchester Classic, the Buick Classic, the Barclays, the Senior Players Championship, and this year, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

For more information on tickets to the KPMG Women's PGA Championship or spectator guidelines, visit www.kpmgwomenspgachampionship.com. For more information about KPMG and the company's Women's Leadership Summit, visit www.KPMG.com/WomensLeadership Ladies Professional Golf Association, visit www.lpga.com; and PGA of America, visit www.pgamediacenter.com.

For the latest events and happenings in Westchester, log onto www.visitwestchesterny.com, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/westchestercountytourism), follow us on Twitter @westchestertour or call (800) 833-9282. To view the Westchester County Destination Guide, go to digital-editions.mediatwo.com/westchester-destination.

About Westchester County Tourism & Film
Tourism & Film is Westchester County's official destination marketing organization. Its mission is to generate economic benefits by enhancing the image and promoting Westchester County as a premier business and leisure destination in the Hudson Valley region. The Tourism & Film Office in Westchester County is a division within County Executive Robert P. Astorino's Office of Economic Development.