Canadian teenagers put on an impressive performance during the first round of the CPKC Women’s Open, trailing Japan’s Miyu Yamashita by a narrow margin. Yamashita delivered a remarkable season-low score of 62 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, placing her one stroke ahead of her compatriot Nasa Hataoka and two strokes ahead of Kiara Romero from the United States.
Seventeen-year-old Anna Huang from Vancouver and 18-year-old amateur Michelle Xing from Richmond Hill, Ont., both positioned themselves well at 5-under-par 65, just three shots behind the leader. They shared the fourth spot with Ruoning Yin from China and Yuri Yoshida from Japan.
Yamashita, the 25-year-old champion of the Meijer LPGA Classic, expressed satisfaction with her performance, attributing her success to her excellent putting skills. Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., closed the round at 3 under, determined to secure her third victory at the event.
The competition saw various players aiming to make the cut for the first time in their careers, including Huang and Xing, who were optimistic about their chances. The first round was played under mostly cloudy skies, with a temperature of 24°C, and players had to contend with mosquitoes due to the city’s recent heavy rainfall.
Despite the challenging conditions, players like Xing highlighted the importance of hitting fairways to avoid the rough that not only housed insects but also affected their club control. Henderson, who navigated through some rough patches during her round, emphasized the significance of staying in the short grass to avoid penalties.
The tournament featured standout performances from Canadian amateurs, with 16-year-old Clairey Lin impressing in her debut and Tour veteran Maude-Aimee Leblanc also posting a solid score. The event showcased a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talents, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.