Canadian teenagers were close to catching up with leader Miyu Yamashita of Japan following the first round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday. Yamashita achieved a season-best score of 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 at 5-under-par 65, three shots behind the leader. They shared this position with Ruoning Yin from China and Yuri Yoshida from Japan.
Yamashita, 25, who previously won the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan, secured eight birdies during her round. She expressed satisfaction with her putting performance, stating, “It’s been a while since I finished the first round in good position. My putting was really nice, so I felt really good.”
Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., concluded her round with a birdie to finish at 3 under. Expressing her delight, Henderson commented, “I really wanted it. I hit it really hard. I’m glad I hit the hole, but to see it go in was really nice.”
World No. 1 Nelly Korda from the United States also finished at 3 under for the day. Both Huang and Xing were on track to qualify for the cut for the first time in their careers after two attempts each.
Huang expressed her ambition, saying, “Definitely making the cut would be a really big goal for me, and then hopefully some good weekend golf,” highlighting her increased confidence compared to previous years and the support of the spectators. Xing, who received a sponsor’s exemption to participate, shared her excitement about the opportunity, stating, “As an amateur, that’s one of my biggest goals, to make the cut at an LPGA event, especially when it’s in Canada. It would mean a whole lot.”
The first round was held under mostly cloudy skies and a temperature of 24°C, with some inconvenience from mosquito repellent. The high rainfall in Edmonton since June made it a breeding ground for mosquitoes, causing discomfort to players and caddies alike.
Players emphasized the importance of staying out of the rough due to the insect presence and difficulty in club contact. Henderson’s performance included a mix of birdies and bogeys, with a focus on staying on the fairway for better results.
In addition to Henderson, other players, including Clairey Lin, a 16-year-old amateur from Langley, B.C., and veteran Maude-Aimee Leblanc from Sherbrooke, Que., performed well in the tournament. The competitive field showcased the diverse talent of Canadian golfers across various age groups and experience levels.
