Canadian teenagers made a strong showing in the opening round of the CPKC Women’s Open, with leader Miyu Yamashita of Japan holding a narrow lead. Yamashita set the pace with a season-low 62 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, one stroke ahead of Nasa Hataoka from Japan and two strokes ahead of Kiara Romero from the United States.
Anna Huang from Vancouver and Michelle Xing, an 18-year-old amateur from Richmond Hill, Ont., were in joint fourth place, trailing the leader by three shots at 5-under-par 65. They were tied with Ruoning Yin from China and Yuri Yoshida from Japan.
Yamashita, aged 25 and winner of the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan in June, showcased an impressive performance with eight birdies. Reflecting on her round, Yamashita expressed satisfaction with her putting and overall play.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., who is aiming for her third victory in the tournament, finished 3 under par, ending her round with a birdie. Henderson emphasized the importance of her strong finish and her determination to catch up with the leaders by making more birdies in the upcoming rounds.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda from the United States also finished 3 under par. Both Huang and Xing were well-positioned to make the cut for the first time in their careers after two attempts each. Huang, who has won four European Tour events in the past 11 months, expressed confidence and eagerness for the weekend rounds.
Xing, granted a sponsor’s exemption to compete, shared her excitement about potentially making the cut in a prestigious LPGA event, especially on Canadian soil. The first round took place under mostly cloudy skies and warm temperatures, with players contending with mosquito bites due to the city’s recent rain.
Players opted for long pants and sleeves to fend off insects, with some experiencing mosquito bites despite precautions. The challenging course conditions emphasized the importance of hitting fairways to avoid the rough, which not only hinders shots but also attracts insects.
Henderson showcased resilience in her round, quickly recovering with birdies after any setbacks. Young amateur Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., made an impressive debut with a score of 68, while tour veteran Maude-Aimee Leblanc from Sherbrooke, Que., joined her at 2 under. Other Canadian players delivered solid performances, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.