Canadian teenagers closed in on leader Miyu Yamashita of Japan after the first round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday. Yamashita posted a season-low 62 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, with Nasa Hataoka from Japan one stroke behind and Kiara Romero from the United States two strokes back.
Vancouver’s Anna Huang and amateur Michelle Xing from Richmond Hill, Ont., were tied for fourth at 5-under-par 65, three shots off the lead. Yamashita, aged 25, recorded eight birdies and expressed satisfaction with her putting performance.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson ended the round at 3 under, seeking her third victory in the tournament. World No. 1 Nelly Korda also finished at 3 under. Both Huang and Xing were on track to make the cut for the first time in their careers after two attempts each.
The players battled adverse conditions during the round, including cloudy skies, 24°C temperature, and mosquito-infested rough. Henderson, after a strong start, emphasized the importance of staying in the fairways to avoid penalties.
Young amateur Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., made her tournament debut with a solid 68, while veteran Maude-Aimee Leblanc from Sherbrooke, Que., finished at 2 under. Several other Canadian amateurs showcased their skills, with mixed results in the challenging conditions.