Canadian teenagers closed in on leader Miyu Yamashita of Japan after the first round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday. Yamashita scored a season-low 62 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, putting her one stroke ahead of Nasa Hataoka from Japan and two strokes ahead of Kiara Romero from the United States.
Vancouver’s Anna Huang, aged 17, and amateur Michelle Xing, aged 18 from Richmond Hill, Ont., were tied for fourth place with China’s Ruoning Yin and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida, three shots behind the leader at 5-under-par 65.
Yamashita, aged 25 and the winner of the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan in June, made eight birdies and expressed satisfaction with her putting performance, stating, “It’s been a while since I finished the first round in good position.”
Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., who is aiming for her third home LPGA tournament win, finished the round with a birdie at 3 under par. Henderson expressed delight at her performance, emphasizing the importance of finishing strong and aiming to catch up with the leaders.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda from the United States also finished the round at 3 under par. Both Huang and Xing were well-placed to make the cut on Friday, with Huang expressing confidence and Xing highlighting the significance of making the cut as an amateur.
The first round was played under mostly cloudy skies in Edmonton, with a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius and occasional clouds of insect repellent due to the city’s significant rainfall since June. Players faced challenges from mosquitoes and rough terrain, with many opting for long sleeves and pants for protection.
Henderson showcased resilience by bouncing back quickly after making a bogey, emphasizing the importance of staying on the fairway. Other notable performances included 16-year-old amateur Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., and tour veteran Maude-Aimee Leblanc from Sherbrooke, Que., both finishing strong in the tournament.
Canadian amateurs also put up a good fight, with Lauren Kim, Aphrodite Deng, and Shauna Liu shooting even par, showcasing the depth of talent in the field. Overall, players faced challenges from the weather and course conditions but remained focused on delivering their best performances throughout the tournament.