VANCOUVER – It took 19 holes for Megan Khang to win her first-ever LPGA Tour title.

The American beat South Korea’s Jin Young Ko in a one-hole playoff on Sunday at the CPKC Women’s Open.

Khang had a three-shot lead heading into the fourth round but her 2-over day and Ko’s 3-under round led to a playoff with both players at 9 under.

Ko’s drive went wide left and into deep rough to start the playoff, with marshals having to part hundreds of spectators so she could have a clear path out of the woods. Her punch out landed in a greenside bunker, while Khang moved straight up the 18th fairway.

Although Khang’s chip onto the green rolled to the edge, she made her long par putt while Ko double bogeyed the hole.

Brooke Henderson (68) of Smiths Falls, Ont., was the low Canadian, tying for 13th at 2 under. Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (68) tied for 36th at 3 over.

Sunday’s final round was the third-straight day with an air quality advisory in the metro Vancouver area. Smoke from ongoing wildfires in British Columbia’s Interior region hung over Vancouver, obscuring views of nearby mountains.

That advisory included the area surrounding Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club but its course remained relatively clear of smoke due to strong winds off the nearby Fraser River.

VANCOUVER – The fans at the CPKC Women’s Open don’t care, Brooke Henderson is still their favourite.

Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., was greeted with cheers or chants at every hole around Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club on Sunday as she put together a 4-under 68 round to improve her overall score at the Canadian women’s championship to 2 under.

Disappointed with her performance at the only LPGA Tour event in Canada, Henderson said she was buoyed by the chants of “Let’s go Brooke!” or the impromptu renditions of “O Canada!” that followed her around the course.

“It’s phenomenal. Just the love, support, all the people that came out to watch,” said a smiling Henderson. “They didn’t really care what I was shooting, which was also really nice, they were just happy to be out here watching.”

Henderson finished the Women’s Open 75-68-75-68, an up-and-down scorecard that was a microcosm of her roller-coaster year.

She started the LPGA Tour season with a victory at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Jan. 19 and has had three top-20 finishes since. That includes a tie for 15th at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on June 22, a 12th-place finish at the U.S Women’s Open on July 6 and second at The Amundi Evian Championship on July 27.

But she missed the cut at the other three events in July and August that led up to this week in Vancouver.

“I think overall when things start to slip a little bit you can panic, and I feel like I’ve done that a little bit this year,” said Henderson, who entered the week 11th in the Race to CME Globe standings, but is projected to move up to eighth on the LPGA Tour rankings on Monday.

“I’m trending in the right direction _ I’ve been saying that a lot, too, _ but I really am.”

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp, the other Canadian who made the cut, had her best round of the tournament on Sunday. She shot a 4-under 68 in her fourth round to finish at 3 over.

“I’ve still got to keep learning as a veteran, and today I went out and just wanted to have fun,” said Sharp, who competed in the national championship for the 18th time. “Yesterday I walked off and I know I didn’t have a lot of fun. I let the golf course get to me.”

Sharp has spent most of her season on the Epson Tour and sits ninth on the second-tier circuit’s money list. Sharp said it’s encouraging that she can still compete with the best the LPGA Tour has to offer as she targets a return to the highest level of women’s golf next season.

“I know I still have it to play out here,” said the 42-year-old Sharp. “A sloppy two rounds, but two really good rounds on a really tough golf course.

“Looking forward to a week off and then five weeks in a row to hopefully get my LPGA Tour card.”

Henderson and Sharp were two of the 15 Canadians entered in the Women’s Open, with 10 of those players still amateurs. Although most of them missed the cut, Golf Canada chief sport officer Kevin Blue said it was an opportunity for the next generation of Canadian players to challenge themselves.

“Being uncomfortable is good,” said Blue on Wednesday. “Ask somebody trying to win a tournament down the stretch. They’re not comfortable. The whole point is to get uncomfortable in golf.

“Our players are definitely going to experience the good parts of that in the next couple of days.”

Calgary’s Earl Grey Golf Club will host the July 22-28 CPKC Women’s Open next year.

VANCOUVER – Struggling through her round, Brooke Henderson found some solace looking at the leaderboard, as most of the field at the CPKC Women’s Open was having a tough time with Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., grinded out a 3-over round to sit in a tie for 34th at 2 over on Saturday at the Canadian women’s golf championship. A double bogey on the par-4 14th hole was the ugliest blemish on her scorecard, but she took heart a couple of holes later.

“It was disappointing that I let some shots slip away, but looking at the leaderboard on No. 16 I was relieved because everyone else seemed to be having some trouble too, so that made me feel a little bit better about myself,” said Henderson, who then birdied the par-4 16th hole. “Just trying to take some positives out of the day.

“Obviously, not what I was looking for, but hopefully I’ll go out tomorrow and make some birdies.”

Henderson was still processing the round when she spoke with reporters by the scoring tent off the 18th green. Despite her struggles, the fans’ support of the top-ranked Canadian in professional golf remained unwavering.

Some spectators sang “O Canada!” at the 17th hole and a loud ovation ushered her up to the 18th green.

“I feel like I’m a little bit upset with how my game is right now,” said Henderson. “I’m also proud that I’m out here, playing the weekend, and with how things have been, I’m just grateful to be out here with all the love and support from all the fans.

“They made me feel a lot better about myself walking up 18. There is so much love here and that really means a lot to me.”

Although most of the field struggled on Saturday, the two players atop the leaderboard did not.

Megan Khang of the United States had birdies on four of her final five holes to hold on to her second-round lead. She finished at 4-under 68 to move to 11-under overall.

“Honestly, I’m relieved that the day is over,” said Khang. “It was kind of like you look at the leaderboard and you know who is behind you and you try to ignore it as much as you can, but it’s scary.”

The four birdies on Khang’s back nine were necessary to fend off hard-charging Sei Young Kim of South Korea. Kim had two eagles, including a hole-in-one, in a 5-under 67 round to sit in second two shots back of Khang.

She said that she decided to be aggressive after a Shaughnessy member told her during the pro-am that the key to the challenging course was to go for it when the green was reachable.

“(No. 14) especially, we get advantage from the tee shot,” said Kim. “It’s just reachable from the tee shot to the green, 250 metres to the pin, so I hit just driver.”

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (78) is the only other Canadian in the field. She finished the day with a group tied for 62nd at 7 over after a 6-over day.

Although she was frustrated by her round, Sharp still had some fun at No. 17 _ a hockey-themed feature hole dubbed The Rink _ by donning a Vancouver Canucks jersey as she played. In last year’s tournament at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, the diehard Maple Leafs fan pulled on a Toronto sweater at The Rink to a very mixed reaction.

Things went better for Sharp at Shaughnessy, with spectators banging on the boards to show their approval of the Canucks sweater. She pulled up the sleeves of the jersey for her chip on to the green and then sank a par putt.

“When I was trying to chip the logo was brushing my arms so I tucked it into the back and I actually hit a good chip,” said Sharp. “(Caddie and wife Sarah Bowman) said ‘you should wear that for the rest of the round.”’

VANCOUVER – Megan Khang had five straight birdies in a back-nine burst and shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the CPKC Women’s Open at challenging Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

After playing the first 10 holes in 1 under, Khang birdied five straight on Nos. 11-15. She closed the bogey-free morning round with three pars, leaving her at 7-under 137 on the tree-lined _ and mosquito-ladden _ layout.

“Honestly, this golf course I feel like you can’t really get too comfortable,” Khang said. “These fairways are tight and the greens are fast and firm, so I’m not taking anything for granted.”

Linn Grant of Sweden was second after a 71.

First-round leader Yuka Saso of Japan followed her opening 66 with a 73 to drop into a tie for third at 5 under with 2019 winner Jin Young Ko of South Korea. The fourth-ranked Ko had a 70.

While winless on the LPGA Tour, Khang has 33 top-10 finishes and career earnings over $5 million. The 25-year-old American is No. 27 in the world.

“Definitely birdies are out there,” Khang said. “Again, just try to stay patient. There will be times where if you happen to miss the fairway you’re just going to have to punch out, and that’s OK. Just as long as you stay level-headed out there”

Grant won the Dana Open in July in Ohio for her first LPGA Tour title.

“Still a tricky course,” Grant said. “Still some good golf, but not quite there.”

Ko won in 2019 at Magna outside Toronto. She has 15 LPGA Tour victories.

“I hit a lot of good shots today,” Ko said. “I hit 17 greens out of 18 greens. I did some miss putts, but was OK.

Second-ranked Nelly Korda was 4 under after her second 70.

“It’s very crucial to hit it well out here,” Korda said. “At the end of the day, you got to make putts.”

Canadian star Brooke Henderson rebounded from an opening 75 with a bogey-free 68 to get to 1 under. The 2018 winner at Wascana in Saskatchewan is wearing glasses in competition for the first time.

“Feels really good to get back under par,” Henderson said. “Feel like I fought really hard to get back under par. … Yesterday was not good, so coming out early this morning just wanted to get off to a good start, and birdieing the 11th hole _ my second hole of the day _ gave me the right momentum.”

Rose Zhang had a 75 to fall to even par. The 20-year-old Zhang won the Mizuho Americas Open in June at Liberty National in her first professional start.

Top-ranked Lilia Vu also was even par after a second 72.

Three-time winner Lydia Ko was 2 over after a 74. She won at Vancouver Golf Club in 2012 and 2015.

Lexi Thompson missed the cut with rounds of 76 and 80. She’s No. 157 in the Race to CME Globe and in danger of losing her LPGA card without having to use a one-time career money exemption.

VANCOUVER _ The CPKC Women’s Open isn’t just a showcase for some of the LPGA Tour’s top players it’s an opportunity for Canada’s youngest professional golfers to see how they measure up.

Although Brigitte Thibault and Sarah-Eve Rheaume both missed the cut at the Canadian women’s golf championship on Friday, they agreed that they learned a lot from the experience. The 24-year-old Thibault has been playing on the Women’s All-Pro Tour this season, a third-tier circuit that has most of its tournaments in Texas.

She said that playing in an LPGA Tour event was a good way of seeing how her golf is progressing.

“I felt very comfortable. I know I belong,” said Thibault after a 3-over 75 second round put her at 8 over. “I’m hitting shots that I know are super tough, and I’m kind of pulling them away and giving away shots on easier shots.”

“So just cleaning up and fine tuning the easier shots and I’ll be right up there.”

Likewise, the 22-year-old Rheaume saw that she can play at the highest levels of women’s golf. She has been playing on the second-tier Epson Tour this season, and sits 150th on its money list.

“You see that you’re pretty close,” said Rheaume about her second-ever appearance in an LPGA Tour event. “Once you’re at the Epson Tour level the difference to step up to the LPGA isn’t that big.”

“It’s a good confidence booster, because you see, you can really compete out here.”

Rheaume had a 2-over 74 round on Friday to finish the tournament at 7-over par. The projected cutline was set at 2 over.

Thibault is from Rosemere, Que., and Rheaume is a native of Quebec City. As the only two Quebecois players in the field they were proud to represent la Belle Province.

“I’ve seen a lot of Quebecois out here,” said Thibault of the large galleries at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. “It’s been nice to just feel the support and the warmth of them, just following you and cheering for you.”

Rheaume, who played two groups behind Thibault, also felt the love.

“It’s important to have some representation,” said Rheaume, who played in the CP Women’s Open in Ottawa last year. “We had four girls play (in 2022) and this year we only had two.”

“It’s very nice to represent Quebec and we’re really proud of our province and our country.”

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Bob Gray, Cobble Beach Golf Links, Hole #8

I was playing with Rob Chaput, Grant Egerdeen and Jeff Kirby. I hit a 7 iron from 154 yards.

Brock Appleyard, Oak Island Golf Course, Hole #8

I used an 8 iron from 178 yards.

Cathy Sutherland, Cardinal Lakes Golf Club, Hole #18

I was lucky enough to get my first hole-in-one at Cardinal Lakes in Welland, Ontario on the Heron course. I am a member of the club and run a Thursday morning ladies league with approximately 50 ladies. I was on hole #18 and the pin placement was in the front of the island green 96 yards from the tee. Using my 9 iron, the ball landed slightly short of the green bounce twice and then rolled the rest of the way in. I was playing with three other ladies from my league, and it was wonderful to watch the ball go into the hole.

Cindy Penton, Bonaire Golf Course, Hole #6

What a day!

Craig Manning, GlenDenning Golf Course, Hole #11

My hole-in-one happened during the final round of the Glendenning Golf Course member’s club championship. I was playing with three other members: Reuben, Bob and Gerard. It was my first ace and it occurred on #11 playing around 168 yards. I hit 7 iron on a good line but we didn’t see the ball go in. It was getting a little foggy, so the visibility was not great.  After walking to the green, Reuben and I found the ball in the hole. It was a great feeling. The ace also helped me card my lowest round, an even par round of 71, and to win the championship by two strokes. It was a special day that I won’t soon forget.

Dan Rochon, Woodside Golf Course, Hole #3

The shot was on a 131-yard par 3 hole, and I used a 5 hybrid. I was playing in Woodside’s Mixed Senior Golf League. Our team strategy was to hit approach shots and tee shots on par 3’s close to but not onto the green so we could chip or putt onto the green close to the hole and only have a one-putt score. That was Plan A. Plan B was that if you hit onto the green, finish the hole with only one or two putts. I didn’t get enough height and the ball bounced just before the green, rolled up to the back of the green and into the hole for a zero-putt score! I guess that was a Plan C shot but I’ll take it!

Dave Crozier, Glencairn Golf Club, Hole #8

I played with Ashu Avasthi and used an 8 iron to go 176 yards.

Dave Edgelow, Black Mountain Golf Club, Hole #11

It was 156-yard hole. It’s a little downhill so I used an easy 8 iron. I hit it nice and high with a little draw. It two hopped about 20 feet in front of the hole and then rolled straight to the hole and dropped. My two playing partners and I went wild. Darren hit left into a bunker and Brian left his 30 feet short and left of the hole. Brian made his putt for birdie.

Dave Rurak, Mayfair Lakes Golf Course, Hole #4

It was my first hole-in-one ever after playing golf for 55 years. I was playing with my wife, Faye, and friends, Scott and Liz Holroyd. The hole was 152 yards, and I used a 6 iron. From the tee box, we weren’t sure if it actually went in, but Scott ran up to the hole and verified.

Doug Middleton, Briar Fox Golf and Country Club, Hole #11

The people with me were Steve Yeates, Frank Parker and Wayne Kimball. The distance was approximately 127 yards. The club used a TaylorMade Max pitching wedge.

EJ Babey, Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, Hole #8 and Austin Garvey, Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, Hole #15

During the round my friend, EJ Babey, hit a hole-in-one on #8, at Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. A 145 yard back left pin for the one hop and in.

Then later in our round, on hole #15, I used a 4 iron for the 214 yard back left pin. Two hops and a roll later and we had our second one in our group.

Austin Garvey

Gordon Miller, Barcovan Golf Club, Hole #11

I was playing with my friend Randy Covell. It was the 11^th4 hole at Barcovan Golf Club. It was playing that day about 130 yards with the pin in the back right corner and the tee blocks all the way back on the white tees. I took an extra club, 5 iron, because there was a hurting wind from the left. I hit the shot and watched the ball bounce a couple of times on the green and then disappear. We immediately assumed it had gone off of the back because the pin was in the back. When we got to the green, we couldn’t see it, so we spent about five minutes thrashing around in the rough looking for it. I decided I would take a drop, incredulous that we couldn’t find it, then I decided to look in the hole and there it was. It is only my second hole-in-one.

Grace Yeomans, Vespra Hills Golf Club, Hole #7

I used my 5 iron off the tee, beautiful flight, landed on the green with a slight bounce to the right and broke towards the hole, and in! I was playing with my husband, Jared Yeomans, and another couple, Lynn and Roger with whom we got paired up with.

Needless to say, the three of them were so excited, jumping up and down, sharing hugs and with the foursome on the 6th hole behind us sharing in the excitement. I was more stunned and speechless.

Herbert Samek, Pointe West Golf Club, Hole #13

It was a 160-yard par 3 with a 6 hybrid. My fellow golfers were Mario Diponio and Bob Voth.

Jack Shearer, Truro Golf Club, Hole #2

Our foursome included Brenda D’Arcy, and the McGillivray brothers, Brian and Neil. The hole measured 151 yards from the white’s and I used an 8 iron. I dribbled my “ace ball” into the pond on the next par 3.

Jim Aziz, Oakville Golf Club, Hole #11

I was playing with two fellow members, Dr. Ken Collett and Denis Clement. It was 127 yards with a 9 iron.

Jimmy Jacquard, Metcalfe Golf Club, Hole #7

It was hole #7, measuring 154 yards and I used an 8 iron. I hit it a tad bit fast, but it landed just before the green, took a bounce and rolled in. If I had flushed it would likely have been too much and overflew the hole a bit.

I was paired with three guys that I didn’t know. I often get early morning tee times at Metcalfe and get paired with random folks. I don’t know their last names but there was Jay and Quinn which knew each other, and Sajiit who was also by himself.

There happened to be a promotion on the hole, so I won a $500 credit at the pro shop which is nice.

Joe Lannan, Port Colborne Country Club, Hole #10

I have been playing golf since 1964, pretty funny that it took probably over 3000 rounds! I hit an 8 iron from 144 yards on our first hole of the day, which was also Men’s league night which had everyone start on the back nine. I was playing with Mark Yallin and Kent Kilpatrick.

John Cliff, Highlands Golf Club, Hole #7

Hole #7 at Highlands was playing 136 yards that day with the hole located in the very back right of the green, down in a hollow. It was protected by bunkers in front, trees tight to the right, and even more trees behind.

Since my normal shot is a high draw, I would normally use a pitching wedge from that distance. But the hole location that day would never accept a draw.

Walking to the tee, I openly cursed that hole location; one of the toughest possible on #7. My unsympathetic playing partners gleefully relished every moment of my dread.

The shot started left of the green, rose very high and started cutting, cutting, more and more; we all gasped. The ball landed softly, short and left of the hole, then rolled like a putt and disappeared into the cup.

My playing partners shouted to our other friends up ahead on the 8th tee box, Jamie McSporran and his son, Kent and his friend Jag Pandher. They all ran back down to the 7th green to verify the ball was in the cup but more likely, I suspect, to make sure they were included on the list for free drinks.

JP Kyla, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Hole #2

It was 103 yards and I hit a 50 degree.

Ken Greer, Michaelbrook Golf, Hole #11

I was playing with 12 family members. We were in Peachland for my wife’s aunt’s 90th birthday. My foursome was with my younger son, and my wife’s uncle and cousin.

Kevin Ross, Rivershore Golf Links, Hole #17

After my night shift, on the morning of August 17th, I teed off just before 8am with fellow member, Tavis Carlin, at Rivershore Golf Links. I was playing a pretty average round that had more downs than ups. We came to the 17th hole; 180 yards from the white tees. With a middle pin location and being slightly elevated a small ridge had the hole hidden from view. I played a 7 iron, and it flew straight at the flag the whole way landing on the front right fringe. Being a slight up slope and it took a little hop to the left and rolled out of sight straight towards the pin. Travis looked at me and said, “That might be in.” To both of our astonishment we arrived at the green with no ball in sight until we were looking down at it in the hole. My first hole-in-one after nearly 30 years of golfing and it was an amazing and exhilarating experience.

LGQ, Fraserview Golf Course, Hole #13

Last February I came to Canada from China. On June 13^th I made my first hole-in-one at Fraserview Golf Course after living in Canada. It happened on the par 3 13^th hole. I was hitting from the blue tees and the yardage was 180. My playing partners were as excited as me! It was a great day!

Lorne Childs, Burlington Golf and CC, Hole #6

I played with Harry Walsh, Adam Thomas and Dave VanWely. It was 128 yards and I hit a nine iron.

Lynda Pataky, Fairwinds Golf Course, Hole #6

The exciting hole-in-one was witnessed by three ladies on our Tuesday Ladies Day. It was hole #6 with a blue flag. The distance is around 130 yards. I used my 9 wood Callaway Epic Max. My friends were Sharon Whitehead, Shireen Brooks and Aliza Hutchinson.

Marc Poirier, Lakeside Golf and Country Club, Hole #14

Great day!

Melbourne O’Brien, Olympic View Golf Club, Hole #6

It was on the 6th hole at Olympic View, which was 205 yards. The club is a TaylorMade 2 iron. I was playing with Blair, Donnie and Kyle. The shot was good contact with a slight draw over the edge of the pond, landed on the fringe, kicked left toward the pin. It took a second bounce on the green, and clank into the pin and bottom of the hole.

Mr. Bogdan, Chiliwack Golf Club, Hole #17

Yesterday was my dad’s 62nd birthday and I took him golfing at Chilliwack Golf Club in Chilliwack, B.C. About two months prior we played golf together at the same course and I made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole.

Yesterday, my dad made an ace on the exact same hole I had one on. He hit a 5 iron from 155. To top it off he called it on the tee box, and it was his birthday!

Luke Bogdan, on behalf of his father

Nathan Welford, Richmond Country Club, Hole #12

I used a 9 iron and hit it up the right-hand side of the green, the pin was playing in the middle of the green, and it rolled right down and dropped in the hole. I was playing with Brandon Chen and Justin Jiacheng. This was part of a two-day junior club championship event. The hole-in-one happened on the first day. This was also the first time I was playing the back nine, so I hadn’t played that hole before that day. I was using a Titleist 4 Pro V1. I am keeping the ball and the scorecard to frame.

Norm Forshner, Cardinal Lakes Golf Club, Hole #2

I was playing with Rob Chiki and Vic Chevalier. It was 142 yards with my 8 iron.

Rachel Gannage, St. Catherines Golf and Country Club, Hole #4

I played with Taylor Lafrate and I used my 3 wood from 129 yards.

Richard Bacon, Mill Run Golf and Country Club, Hole #9

It happened while playing with my regular group on Thursday. We call ourselves the “Irish Canucks”. I was joined by a pay as you go couple and one member, Mike Warriner.

The ninth at Mill Run Highland is a 183-yard downhill par 3. I hit a 4 hybrid. It was a high draw and the ball landed about ten feet short of the hole and disappeared shortly after. We thought it had gone off the back of the green. It was in! That was kind of cool!

Rob Mannila, Spruce Needles Golf Club, Hole #9

Playing partners were Ron Maxwell and Luke Boisoneau. It was with a 7 iron.

Sharon Case, Miramichi Golf and Country Club, Hole #8

It was an exciting day as the ladies I was playing with in our weekly Tuesday league had not witnessed a hole-in-one. The hole is recorded as 88 yards on our scorecard, and I used a wedge. This is my 8th hole-in-one, and each are special. My husband has six and I gave him a little teasing now that I am two up. Members at our course are surprised with our household total.

Shawn Allen, Weston Golf Club, Hole #15

It was hole #15. It measured 181 yards, and I used a 6 iron.

Shelley, Golf Kenosee, Hole #8

I was very excited, but also doubtful that it actually happened. My playing partner that witnessed it was Loreen Wakefield. The other two ladies I was playing with had stopped at the bathroom.

Loreen told me it went in, but I thought it rolled past the hole, so when we got to the green, I hopped off the cart with my putter and proceeded to look behind the green. But Loreen, she knew. She went straight to the hole for the wonderful discovery!

Skyler Thomas, Pine Ridge Golf Club, Hole #10

I was playing with my wife Courtney Thomas. On hole #10 at Pine Ridge, I hit a 6 iron from 202 for my ace.

Steve Toms, Wooden Sticks Golf Club, Hole #3

I was playing with my son Harrison Toms who purchased the round at Wooden Sticks as a birthday gift for me. It was on the 3rd hole at about 145. I used a 7 iron as I did not want to be short in the water or bunker in front. Apparently, this hole is modelled after the 12th hole at Augusta. The ball landed a few feet short of the hole and skipped in!

Stuart Justason, Countryview Golf Club, Hole #6

The club used was a 6 iron for 171 yards. As for partner’s, I joined up with brother and sister Dawn and Kyle. First time we ever met. They were just as excited for me as I was. Two very nice people.

Wayne Bulloch, Vulcam Golf and CC, Hole #16

I used a Cobra 5 hybrid from 163 yards.

VANCOUVER – Brooke Rivers says she’s just focused on playing golf at this week’s CPKC Women’s Open. But she still stopped to sign an autograph for a young girl as she crossed over from her front nine to the back nine.

That quick pause in her round came as she was one of the early leaders on Thursday morning at the Canadian women’s golf championship. The 18-year-old Rivers, a collegiate player set to start her first full year of university this fall, finished her round at 1-under 71 to sit in a tie for 13th.

Rivers’s round had the lowest score of any amateur at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

“I think it’s very similar to any other tournament,” said Rivers after her first-ever round of professional golf. “I’m just trying to do the best that I can, and this is to me like any other tournament.

“So I’m staying in the moment. Not too many nerves. I’m just here to play golf.”

That said, Rivers doesn’t get asked for many autographs at amateur tournaments.

“Yeah, a little bit different,” Rivers said with a laugh. “It’s fun just to kind of inspire the younger generation.”

Rivers, from Brampton, Ont., started at No. 10 and had two birdies in her first five holes before firing an eagle on the par-5 No. 15.

“In the practice round I wasn’t close enough to go for the green on 15, but today I was full send going for the green and ended up in a good place,” she said, grinning. “Short-sided myself, but hit a perfect chip and went in.”

Although she had four bogeys after the eagle, Rivers recovered with a birdie on the par-5 No. 7 to finish the round on a high note.

“I’m missing my first week of college to be here,” said Rivers, who will play for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons starting this fall. “Worth it, but it’s just about golf. It’s not about the tournament or who is in it.

“I’m here to play golf and hit the shots that I want to hit.”

Rivers is one of 15 Canadians in the field at the Women’s Open. Ten of those players are amateurs, as Golf Canada works to develop a new generation of professional golfers.

Kevin Blue, the national governing body’s chief sport officer, said that it was important to give more amateurs an opportunity to play in their first professional event because it would help them better visualize their development targets.

“It allows them to understand viscerally and emotionally how their games measure up to a field like this, which is featuring the vast, vast majority of the top 100 players in the world,” said Blue. “We obviously hope that they’ll play well and make cuts and do those things, but primarily, the objective this week is for our players to learn as much as possible about areas where there’s still gaps between them and a world-ranked player.”

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp was the low Canadian on Thursday, shooting a 3-under 69 to sit in a group tied for third.

“It’s amazing to see all the young kids here. I get older, they get younger it seems like,” said the 42-year-old Sharp. “They have a lot of talent and Golf Canada has done a great job with the program and giving these girls opportunities to play in events like this.

“It’s a huge experience builder for them. It’s great to see them all here.”

Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., was tied for 31st at 1-over 73, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was 3-over 75, and amateur Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., was 4-over.

Epson Tour player Sarah-Eve Rheaume of Quebec City and amateurs Ellie Szeryk of London, Luna Lu of Burnaby, B.C., and Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos were grouped at 5-over 77. Like Rivers, Ellie Szeryk was happy to be playing in her first-ever professional event.

“It was a little frustrating with the greens. I’m just not used to how the LPGA plays them,” said Ellie Szeryk, the younger sister of Tour professional Maddie Szeryk. “I’m used to the balls slowly rolling out like two, three yards and they’re rolling out quite a bit more but you can’t leave them short because they stick.

“So that was a pretty big adjustment, but it was cool.”

Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que., was 6-over 78 and amateur Victoria Liu of Vancouver was 7-over 79. Amateurs Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont., and Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont., were 8-over 80.

Amateurs Yeji Kwon of Port Coquitlam, B.C., Victoria’s Sonja Tang, and Angela Arora of Surrey were grouped at 9-over 81.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Yuka Saso had a big second nine to shoot a 6-under 66 and take the first-round lead Thursday in the CPKC Women’s Open, while Canadian star Brooke Henderson struggled while playing in glasses for the first time on the LPGA Tour.

Even par at the turn at tree-lined _ and mosquito-infested _ Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Saso birdied Nos. 1-4 and 6-7, playing her second nine in 6-under 30. The 22-year-old Japanese player won the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open for her lone LPGA Tour title.

“I don’t know what happened the back nine,” Saso said. “I started hitting some good second shots and having short putts for birdies, giving myself a lot of chances.”

Henderson, the 2018 winner at Wascana in Regina, Saskatchewan, opened with a 75. Playing in the afternoon, she had four bogeys and a birdie.

“I just wasn’t sharp today,” Henderson said. “Hopefully, just go out tomorrow morning early, get off to a quick start, make more birdies.”

She has long worn worn glasses off the course, but hadn’t played in them.

“At least I could see my ball in the bush, which was kind of a good thing, I guess,” Henderson said.

Saso tried to be patient with the mosquitoes.

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

Linn Grant was second after an afternoon 67. The 24-year-old Swede rebounded from a bogey on the par-5 11th with birdies on the next four holes. She won the Dana Open in July in Ohio for her first LPGA Tour title.

“I didn’t feel very confident with my swing going out,” Grant said. “But I managed to kind of find something. You know, golf is golf. You got to just kind of go with what you 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 honest, the start was a little shaky,” Sharp said. “I was a little nervous. You got to kind of put your blinders on out here. Fairways are narrow.”

The 20-year-old Zhang won the Mizuho Americas Open in June at Liberty National in her first professional start.

“You can never be too comfortable, especially on this golf course,” Zhang said. “Every day the conditions are going to be changing.”

Nelly Korda topped the group at 70.

“It’s really tight off the tee,” Korda said. “Really small greens. And a side of a lot of mosquitoes.”

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

“I’m feeling good.” Rivers said. “Stuck to the plan and hit some good shots.”

Three-time winner Lydia Ko shot a 72. She won at Vancouver Golf Club in 2012 and 2015. Race to CME Globe leader Lilia Vu also had a 72.

Lexi Thompson opened with a 76. She’s No. 157 in the Race to CME Globe and in danger of losing her LPGA card without having to use a one-time career money exemption.

Defending champion Paula Reto shot 78.

Canadian sisters Maddie and Ellie Szeryk were paired together, with Maddie shooting a 73 and Ellie a 77.

Shaughnessy was originally set to host the event in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it by three years.

St. Andrews, N.B. –  The Algonquin Golf Course continued to test some of the best Mid-Amateur golfers for the fourth consecutive day, but nothing could stop Joseph Deraney as he rose to the challenge and finished at 10-under to capture the 2023 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title on Friday, presented by BDO.

Starting his day tied for first, Deraney of Belden, Miss., got off to a hot start by making a birdie on the par-4 first hole. From there the 40-year-old never looked back, recording a total of six birdies for the day, shooting a final round 4-under 68.

“It’s so hard to win, it’s nice to be able to fall back on your experiences a couple times but its just always difficult to win. Getting out there today I hit a great first shot on the first hole to about two feet and got off to a quick start by making a birdie. I steadied the ship and made a solid 15-footer on four for birdie, then really just had a lot of good quality golf shots. I got another birdie on nine, about a five-footer and so I was able to just grab a lead, there were some struggles on six and seven for some of the other guys, so I knew I was able to grab a two-shot lead. I played really solid on the back, three par fives and I thought with that I’d be able to hoist the trophy. I made a really solid birdie on 13, I three putted eleven, but I made a great par on ten which is by far the hardest hole out here. I didn’t look at too many of the leaderboards, but I felt like some of the guys were creeping back up on me, so I got a little fire under me and hit a couple more really good golf shots, then looked back and saw I had a four-shot lead, so I cruised on in,” said Deraney.

Deraney won by three strokes over Ryan Terry who also shot a final round 4-under 68 to place second. This is Deraney’s third time winning the Men’s Mid-Am with having captured the title in 2018 and 2019.

 “I think after the first round I made too many bogeys, so really, how you win championships on difficult golf courses, is that you don’t make bogeys. I kept reiterating to myself that, if you make four birdies and no bogeys that’s four-under so I really stated playing more cautious. I was swinging aggressive but picking lines that were fifteen feet away from the flag, opposed to right at it, which always leads to success on difficult golf courses,” added Deraney.

In addition to the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur title, Deraney has received an exemption into the 2023 U.S. Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2024 Men’s Amateur Championship.

“Winning this championship helps a lot, there’s no doubt about it. I didn’t play a ton in the summer, as I have three young kids and so with them being out of school we hang out and do the family stuff. This is the first event of six in kind of a nine-to-ten-week span and it’s perfect. This tournament is four days, allows me to get my feet wet and swinging well. Match play can be a little different when you catch a guy that’s just hot that day but its always nice to go into one of the biggest events of the year we have with a win and feel like you’re swinging well, handling the pressure, and closing out the victory when you need to. I’m looking forward to hopefully a really good fall, a few more W’s in there and just a lot of solid golf,” Deraney added.

Derek Meinhart of Mattoon, Ill., came into the final round tied for first and finished with an even par- 72 to place third overall. Meinhart got off to a tough start with a bogey on the par-4 sixth hole and a double bogey on the par-4 seventh hole. He didn’t let that stop him though, as he pushed through and carded a total of four birdies to finish 6-under for the championship.

Canadians Mike Landry of Fredericton N.B., and Derek Dalziel of London, Ont., finished tied for fourth at 5-under.

Deraney also won the Mid-Master division with Meinhart placing second. Rob Couture of Celina, Tex., placed third in the Mid-Master after shooting a final round 1-under 71, finishing 4-under for the championship.

On Tuesday, Team Ontario defended their inter-provincial title, securing the Bruce Forbes Trophy for a record 17th time in the 29-year history of the competition.

For the final standings in the 2023 Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, please click here.

GOLF CANADA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Canada annually conducts more than 30 golf competitions and qualifiers nation-wide – including nine National Amateur Championships – which play host to more than 3,000 domestic and international athletes from all corners of the world. In partnership with our host clubs, thousands of volunteers, provincial golf associations and our proud sponsors, Golf Canada is dedicated to supporting player development through world-class competition since our inception in 1895. Officiated by certified Canadian Rules of Golf officials, Golf Canada’s amateur competitions are fully compliant with golf’s international governing bodies and include marquee events such as the Canadian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships as well as the Canadian Junior Girls and Junior Boys Championships. Golf Canada’s amateur championships are proudly supported by BDO Canada, CPKC, Sport Canada, Levelwear, Titleist, FootJoy and JOURNIE Rewards. For more information and scheduling visit www.golfcanada.ca/championships.