12-year-old Canadian will play at CP Women's Open

Michelle Liu isn't even a teenager yet, but she's earned an exemption onto the LPGA Tour's CP Women's Open next month at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ont.

At 12 years old, the Vancouver native will be the youngest golfer to play in the 47-year history of the tournament.

"It feels like I’m onto another level in my golf game," Liu told the Canadian Press. "I really hope I get paired with someone who is like a really good golfer, so I can learn something from them at the Canadian Women’s Open."

Fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson holds the record as the youngest to play in the tournament as a 14-year-old in 2012. The Smiths Falls, Ont. product won the event in Regina last year and is the No. 8-ranked player on the LPGA Tour.

"I really look up to Brooke Henderson," Liu said. "She’s Canadian and she’s such a great golfer.

"It also means a lot to me to play in a professional tournament, especially one that’s local to me on a national basis I guess. I think the Canadian Women’s Open is a benchmark for me because it’s professional.

"It’s not only a professional tournament, but also like a big tournament where lots of well-known players will be playing."

Liu finished T-12 at the Canadian Women's Amateur Championship this week at 1-over par.