Yuka Saso finishes strong for 1-shot lead in CPKC Women’s Open

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Yuka Saso had an enormous second 9 to shoot a 6-under 66 and take the first-round lead Thursday within the CPKC Girls’s Open, whereas Canadian star Brooke Henderson struggled whereas enjoying in glasses for the primary time on the LPGA Tour.

Even par on the flip at tree-lined — and mosquito-infested — Shaughnessy Golf and Nation Membership, Saso birdied Nos. 1 via 4 and 6 and seven, enjoying her second 9 in 6-under 30. The 22-year-old Japanese participant gained the 2021 U.S. Girls’s Open for her lone LPGA Tour title.

“I do not know what occurred [on] the again 9,” Saso stated. “I began hitting some good second photographs and having brief putts for birdies, giving myself loads of probabilities.”

Saso tried to be affected person with the mosquitoes.

“The bug spray helped rather a lot,” she stated. “The wind, too.”

Henderson, the 2018 winner at Wascana in Regina, Saskatchewan, opened with a 75. Taking part in within the afternoon, she had 4 bogeys and a birdie.

“I simply wasn’t sharp right this moment,” Henderson stated. “Hopefully, simply exit tomorrow morning early, get off to a fast begin, make extra birdies.”

She has lengthy worn glasses off the course however hadn’t performed in them.

“At the least I might see my ball within the bush, which was sort of a superb factor, I suppose,” Henderson stated.

Linn Grant was second after a day 67. The 24-year-old Swede rebounded from a bogey on the par-5 eleventh with birdies on the subsequent 4 holes. She gained the Dana Open in July in Ohio for her first LPGA Tour title.

“I did not really feel very assured with my swing going out,” Grant stated. “However I managed to sort of discover one thing. You recognize, golf is golf. You bought to simply sort of go along with what you might have.”

Canadian Alena Sharp was at 69 with Rose Zhang, 2019 winner Jin Young Ko, Weiwei Zhang, Sei Young Kim and Danielle Kang.

“To be trustworthy, the beginning was a little bit shaky,” Sharp stated. “I used to be a little bit nervous. You bought to sort of put your blinders on out right here. Fairways are slim.”

The 20-year-old Zhang gained the Mizuho Americas Open in June at Liberty Nationwide in her first skilled begin.

“You may by no means be too snug, particularly on this golf course,” Zhang stated. “Each day the situations are going to be altering.”

Nelly Korda topped the group at 70.

“It is actually tight off the tee,” Korda stated. “Actually small greens. And a aspect of loads of mosquitoes.”

Canadian newbie Brooke Rivers had a 71. The 18-year-old can be a freshman at Wake Forest.

“I am feeling good.” Rivers stated. “Caught to the plan and hit some good photographs.”

Three-time winner Lydia Ko shot a 72. She gained at Vancouver Golf Membership in 2012 and 2015. Race to CME Globe chief Lilia Vu additionally had a 72.

Lexi Thompson opened with a 76. She’s No. 157 within the Race to CME Globe and in peril of shedding her LPGA card with out having to make use of a one-time profession cash exemption.

Defending champion Paula Reto shot 78.

Canadian sisters Maddie and Ellie Szeryk had been paired collectively, with Maddie capturing a 73 and Ellie a 77.

Shaughnessy was initially set to host the occasion in 2020, however the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it by three years.