PORTLAND, Ore. – Brooke Henderson is trying to leave everyone else behind – and not get too far ahead of herself.

The 17-year-old Canadian took the outright lead in an LPGA Tour event for the third time this year, birdieing three of her last four holes Friday for a 5-under 67 and a one-shot advantage in the Cambia Portland Classic.

“Just to stay within myself and play my own game,” she said when asked what she has learned this season. “Playing as an amateur I was used to a lot of people, a lot of media and television and stuff like that, but it’s a little bit different on the LPGA Tour, and I think that’s something that I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with this year.

“I think if I can just stay patient and play my own game and not focus on outside factors, I think good things will happen.

Playing in cool, breezy and sometimes wet conditions, Henderson finished with an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-4 ninth to reach 11-under 133 at Columbia Edgewater. She made her only bogey of the tournament at 11, but rebounded with birdies at 12, 14 and 3 before the late burst.

Henderson, who turns 18 in September, has made $466,818 in nine LPGA Tour tournaments and needs to finish in the top 40 on the money list to earn a card for next year. LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan denied Henderson’s age petition last year, preventing her from playing Q-school. She earned a spot in the field in Monday qualifying.

“Right now, I’m just taking it one day at a time and one tournament at a time, but I’m really looking forward to the next couple years,” Henderson said. “Hopefully, this week I can secure my card for next year and be full time on the LPGA.”

Henderson is attempting to become the third player to win an LPGA tournament before turning 18, joining Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson.

“That would be really good, but I’m still a long way from that, and I realize that,” Henderson said. “I have to go low and shoot some good numbers.”

Caroline Masson has second. The German player shot a 64, the best round of the week.

Masson had eight birdies, four on each nine, in her second straight bogey-free round after missing the cuts in five of her six previous tournaments. Masson is winless in her three-year LPGA Tour career. In the 2013 Portland tournament, she shot a second-round 64 on the way to a fifth-place finish.

Masson is attempting to win and make a late bid for European team berth in the Solheim Cup, set for Sept. 18-20 in Germany.

“It’s been on my mind a lot. I don’t know, maybe not too much. It’s the only Solheim Cup probably that’s going to be in Germany while I’m playing,” said Masson, who played in the 2013 Cup. “It means a lot to me, obviously, to be on that team. But you can’t think about it and you can’t play with that being on your mind because it just puts too much pressure on yourself.

Candie Kung, Julieta Granada and Jenny Shin were tied for third at 9 under. Kung, a four-time LPGA Tour winner, had a 66, Granada shot 69, and Shin 68.

Amy Anderson and Sandra Changkija, tied for the first-round lead at 65, each shot 72 to drop into a tie for ninth at 7 under.

Defending champion Austin Ernst was 6 under after a 66.

No. 3 Stacy Lewis was 4 under after a 69, and No. 2 Ko shot a 72 to remain 2 under.

The 36-hole cut was at even par. Among those failing to advance were two-time Portland champion Suzann Pettersen. She was 5 over after a 74. Also missing the cut was Henderson’s sister Brittany, who was 5 over after a 75.

The Portland Classic is the penultimate tournament before the U.S. Solheim Cup team is set Aug. 24. The top eight players in the Solheim Cup standings, the top two in the world ranking not among the top eight in the standings, and two captain’s picks will make up the 12-player team. Six players have clinched spots in the standings.

No. 7 Angela Stanford failed to make the cut after shooting 74, while No. 8 Gerina Piller was even par after a 72. Of those outside the top eight, No. 9 Lizette Salas (70) and No. 10 Brittany Lang (71) are in the best position to make a move, as both are 3 under through 36 holes.

Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., posted a second round of 2-under to sit T9 at 7-under for the tournament.

Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., signed for a round of 75, Sue Kim had a round of 74 and Brittany Henderson recorded a round of 75. The trio not play the weekend.

PORTLAND, Ore. – After the opening round Canadian teen star Brooke Henderson is a shot back of the lead along with Alison Lee and Julieta Granada.

The 17-year-old Henderson birdied six of the first 13 holes. The Canadian, who doesn’t turn 18 until September, has made $466,818 in nine LPGA Tour tournaments this year. Henderson earned a spot in the field in Monday qualifying, and thought that helped Thursday.

“I feel much more comfortable in the first round than I do a lot of times because I’ve already played this golf course in a competitive atmosphere this week,” Henderson said.

Anderson and Sandra Changkija shared the first-round lead at 7-under 65 on Thursday in the Cambia Portland Classic.

Amy Anderson set an NCAA record with 20 tournament victories during her college career at North Dakota State. Now she’s seeking a breakthrough victory in her second year on the LPGA Tour.

In warm, calm afternoon conditions, the 23-year-old Anderson had five consecutive birdies on the front nine in her bogey-free round at Columbia Edgewater.

“This is a good learning experience, and I’m kind of excited to learn from it and just see what it’s like out here,” Anderson said. “You have to learn at every single level, so for me it started at local tournaments, then to national amateur tournaments, collegiate … but this is a whole other ballgame.”

Anderson had never led a round during her two-year LPGA Tour career. She’s coming off her best finish of the year, a tie for eighth in Michigan in the Meijer LPGA Classic.

Changkija, playing in the morning, made six birdies on her opening nine and reached 8 under before finishing with a bogey. The 26-year-old Changkija, in her fourth LPGA season, has only two career top-10 finishes, but one came at the 2013 Portland stop. The 65 was her lowest competitive round since shooting 63 in Canada in the 2012 Manulife Financial Classic.

Changkija has rarely been near the lead during her professional career, but said her mindset won’t change Friday.

“I’m just going to do the same thing I did today – hit fairways, hit greens and just roll some putts,” Changkija said. “I’ve been hitting it really well. I just wasn’t making putts. I switched putters this week. I went to a Cure putter. It seems to be working well for me.”

One stroke back of third place with a round of 67 is Canadian Alena Sharp sitting T6. Jennifer Kirby posted a round of 70. Brittany Henderson signed for a round of 74, while Sue Kim shot 75.

Mo Martin and Cristie Kerr shot 67. Second-ranked Lydia Ko opened with a 70, and No. 3 Stacy Lewis had a 71.

Defending champion Austin Ernst made four birdies and four bogeys and shot 72.

Suzann Pettersen, the Portland winner in 2011 and 2013, started her round with a double bogey and shot 75.

The Portland Classic is the penultimate tournament before the U.S. Solheim Cup team is set.

The top eight players in the Solheim Cup standings, the top two in the world ranking not among the top eight in the standings, and two captain’s picks will make up the 12-player team for the Sept. 18-20 matches against Europe in Germany. Six players have clinched spots in the standings. No. 7 Angela Stanford shot 74, and No. 8 Gerina Piller had a 72.

Many players are wearing pins and ribbons honoring LPGA pioneer Louise Suggs, who died Friday at 91. Suggs, an 11-time major winner, was an LPGA founding member in 1950.

Click below to listen in to Golf Canada’ s media teleconference with Lydia Ko.

VANCOUVER – Lydia Ko had no idea she was in the process of making history the first time she competed at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Then just 15 years old, the New Zealander became the youngest player to win an LPGA event when she captured the Canadian Women’s Open by three strokes as an amateur back in 2012.

“I didn’t know what the record was,” Ko said on a conference call Wednesday. “I was out there trying to have fun, playing alongside the world’s best golfers.”

Now 18, Ko is herself one of the world’s best, and will be among the field when the tournament – now known as the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open – returns to Coquitlam, B.C., next week.

Ko recalled the excitement of stepping on the Vancouver course in one of her first LPGA events

“It was a very memorable week,” Ko said. “I hadn’t played many LPGA events. Just to be able to play alongside my role models, it was really exciting for me.”

Ko shot rounds of 68, 68, 72 and 67 for a score of 13 under, but didn’t get to claim her winnings because she was still an amateur.

“I just tried to enjoy it out there,” said Ko. “My goal was first of all to make the cut.”

She followed up that initial victory with another Canadian Women’s Open title in Edmonton in 2013, however she wound up tied for 55th last year in London, Ont., her first time playing the tournament as a professional.

Ko also struggled a bit earlier this year, but has been rounding into form since the end of June. She tied for third in her last two events, including last month’s Women’s British Open.

“It’s been a really fun last couple weeks,” she said. “Lots of travel to, but I’ve been enjoying it.”

Fans will be focused on Ko, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, but should also be keen to see 17-year-old amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.

Ko knows the Canadian well and said she isn’t surprised by Henderson’s success, which has seen her rise to No. 32 overall.

“I knew how good she was,” said Ko. “I think everybody’s been noticing her more because she’s been playing more LPGA events. Brooke’s a superstar.

“She hits the ball a long way and she’s very consistent.”

A two-time Canadian Open champion while still in her teens, Ko is both the present and future of women’s golf, something she sometimes stops to think about – just not on the course.

“That’s the really great thing about golf. Age is just really a number,” she said. “When we’re out there we’re not thinking about our rankings and what we are, we’re just trying to play our best. That’s all we can do.”

And what Ko will be looking to do after competing in an LPGA tournament in Portland, Ore., this week is recapture some of the magic from her performance at the Canadian Open three years ago.

“Every moment of that week was exciting (and) so much fun,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to going back.”

Coquitlam, B.C. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) are pleased to announce the names of 14 players who have received exemptions into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, August 17 – 23, 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club.

Headlining the list of exemptions is previously confirmed 17 year old Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario who earned her exemption by way of winning the 2015 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship, the third event on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour. Currently No. 32 on the Rolex World Rankings, Henderson’s stellar rookie season as a pro includes three top 10 finishes on the LPGA Tour, a victory on the Symetra Tour and more than $466,000 in LPGA Tour earnings through nine events played. Henderson, who Monday qualified into this week’s LPGA Tour event in Portland, Oregon, will be making her fourth consecutive appearance in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Four other players earned tournament exemptions by way of their play on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour including Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, who won the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Also earning an exemption was Michelle Piyapatra of Corona, California who won the season-opening Canadian Women’s Tour stop at The Glencoe Golf and Country Club as well as Lauren Mielbrecht of Gulf Stream, Florida and Seul-Ki Park of Northbrook, Illinois who received their exemptions based on the 2015 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Two members of the Team Canada Women’s Amateur Squad also earned exemptions including Maddie Szeryk, 19, of Allen, Texas and Brittany Marchand, 22, of Orangeville, Ontario. Currently the No. 35 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Szeryk, won the 2015 Ontario Women’s Amateur and finished tied for sixth at the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Marchand, who recently got through stage one of LPGA Qualifying, will make her fourth appearance at Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Four Canadians competing on the Symetra Tour have also been granted exemptions including former Team Canada member Augusta James of Bath, Ontario who currently sits fourth on the Symetra Tour money list in her rookie season as a professional. James will make her fourth appearance in Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship.

Other Canadian Symetra Tour players granted exemptions include Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., and Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. who sit 10^th, 16^th and 24^th respectively on the Symetra Tour money list.

A pair of Canadians with non-exempt status on the LPGA Tour will also compete including Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ontario. Rounding out the list of exemptions is Mariel Galdiano of Pearl City, Hawaii who earned a spot by winning the 2015 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship two weeks ago.

The 14 players earning exemptions into the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open will join a world-class field at The Vancouver Golf Club that features Rolex World Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park; two-time champion and Rolex Rankings No. 2 Lydia Ko; No. 3 Stacey Lewis; No. 7 Shanshan Feng; No. 8 Lexi Thompson; No. 9 Anna Nordquist; and defending champion and world No. 4 So Yeon Ryu. Other LPGA Tour stars confirmed to compete include international fan favourites Paula Creamer, Na Yeon Choi, Sandra Gal, Charley Hull and Morgan Pressel.

In addition to Ryu (2014) and Ko (2012 & 2013), past Canadian Women’s Open champions set to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Michelle Wie (2010), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006).

The 10 Canucks receiving exemptions will join a Canadian contingent led by CP ambassador Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, PEI as well as fellow LPGA Tour player Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ontario.

“The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but also the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to The Vancouver Golf Club for the first time since 2012.

On Monday August 17, 2015, the LPGA Tour will conduct an 18-hole stroke play qualifier at Pitt Meadows Country Club to determine the final four exemptions directly into the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has allowed the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.

PORTLAND – Team Canada Young Pro Squad member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., has qualified to play in this week’s Cambia Portland Classic on the LPGA Tour.

Henderson, 17, shot a four-under 68 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club to grab one of two spots available in the field this week. She joins sister Brittany, who received a sponsor exemption, in the field in Portland. Brittany Henderson, who plays on the Symetra Tour, was granted a sponsor’s exemption, a spot that might have gone to Brooke, except she has already received her maximum seven for the year.

If Henderson had not qualified Monday, she would have caddied for Brittany – something she did during the LPGA qualifying tournament last year. Brittany has caddied for Brooke five times this year, including at the U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s British Open.

“I love it,” Brooke Henderson said. “She’s a great caddie. I’m not sure how good I am, but she’s great. We know each other so well, so we know what to say when things aren’t going well, and when things are going well, to keep us going.”

Florida’s Doris Chen, a University of South California graduate, claimed the other Monday qualifier spot.

TURNBERRY, Scotland – There’s a Ko atop the leaderboard after three rounds of the Women’s British Open.

Just not the one many were expecting.

Jin-Young Ko, a 20-year-old South Korean with no links experience and playing in her first major championship, shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday to share the lead with Taiwan’s Teresa Lu heading into the final round at Turnberry. They have an 8-under total of 208.

Ko’s story is all the more remarkable considering she met her temporary caddie for the week – a locally born, 27-year-old digital advertiser called Jeff Brighton – for the first time on Tuesday. She said she is taking advice from Brighton on every stroke, and hasn’t been adapting her usual game for the links despite the wind and rain that has lashed the Ailsa course.

“I give her a number and a line and she just hits it,” Brighton said after the round. “We’re working well. She trusts my numbers.”

Lydia Ko, the No. 2-ranked golfer looking to become the youngest winner of a major at 18, started the third round in a four-way tie for second place, alongside her namesake on 5 under.

The New Zealander recovered from a double-bogey at No. 1 to shoot a 72 and was three strokes off the lead, with top-ranked Inbee Park (69) and Minjee Lee (70).

Park, who has been acting as a mentor for Jin-Young Ko in her compatriot’s start to her career, is bidding to complete a career Grand Slam.

“Having somewhat of a chance on the last day is just a great opportunity,” said Park, who would be the sixth woman to sweep the majors. “You just keep cracking and someday it’s going to crack.”

Second-round leader Suzann Pettersen was a stroke off the lead after shooting 72 on another day of changeable weather in western Scotland. Mika Miyazato of Japan shot 70 to lie on her own in fourth place.

Jin-Young Ko took the lead outright for the first time when she birdied No. 6 and went two shots clear after another birdie on No. 7. She lost the lead when she bogeyed No. 16 after missing the green with her approach from the middle of the fairway, the only poor shot in her round.

Both Ko and Lu birdied No. 17 and parred No. 18.

“I feel nothing, not even nervous or anything,” said Ko, who has won four events on the Korean tour and played only one event on the U.S. LPGA Tour, in South Korea, where she finished tied for 42nd at the 2014 KEB HanaBank Championship.

Asked if it will be a life-changing experience to be a major champion, the 28th-ranked Ko replied: “If I won, my life will be the same.”

Ko is playing in Scotland for the first time and has been shocked by the weather conditions. She said she has never played in such high winds.

“There are many different seasons in one day – sun, rain, wind,” she said, laughing.

The 30th-ranked Lu shot 69, too, and was also chasing a first major title. She rolled a birdie putt just wide on the 18th hole that would have given her the outright lead.

“I have to try to stay relaxed,” Lu said, “because it’s going to be a tough day tomorrow.”

Rain is forecast all Sunday.

Park has seven come-from-behind victories, including two in major championships – at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open and 2014 Women’s PGA Championship.

“Three back is not that bad,” Park said.

Alena Sharp shoots a third-round 77 while Brooke Henderson signed for a 79.

TURNBERRY, Scotland – If the first day of the Women’s British Open was all about Donald Trump, the second day belonged to Suzann Pettersen.

The Norwegian took a two-stroke lead into the weekend after being one of just two players to break 70 in a soggy second round at Turnberry that left many in the 144-woman field scurrying for shelter and bemoaning the un-summerlike conditions.

Out at 6.41 a.m. Friday in the second group, Pettersen shot a 3-under 69 for a score that only looked better and better as a grueling day on the wind-beaten Ailsa links wore on. Maria McBride of Sweden was the only player to beat Pettersen’s score with a bogey-free 66 but was still way off the pace after an opening-round 79.

“I was in 100 percent control of the ball, the flight, the spin, everything you need to do in conditions like this,” said the sixth-ranked Pettersen, who called it one of the best rounds of her career. “It felt like I was pulling off every shot I was standing over.”

Pettersen’s 7-under 137 put her two shots clear of a quartet tied for second that included Lydia Ko, who shot a 73 in some of the worst conditions in the afternoon, when the winds swirled and gusted up to 25 mph.

“I was eating my sandwich – my bread was getting wet in the rain,” said the 18-year-old Ko, who wore four layers of clothes, hand warmers and ear muffs at times during her round.

And Pettersen’s 69?

“Pretty amazing,” Ko said.

Teresa Lu (71) of Taiwan and South Korean pair So Yeon Ryu (72) and Jin-Young Ko (70) were also on 5 under with Ko, who is trying to become the youngest winner of a major.

Top-ranked Inbee Park, seeking to complete the career sweep of the majors, shot a 73 to sit five strokes off Pettersen. Michelle Wie withdrew after aggravating a left ankle injury when she slipped to the ground as she walked off the 13th tee.

Defending champion Mo Martin shot an 80 and missed the cut, which was at 5 over, as did Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer and U.S. Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster.

Golf reclaimed center stage after the Donald Trump Show on Thursday. The American presidential contender, who owns Turnberry, had made the opening round of the year’s fourth major a mere sideshow by landing in his private helicopter during play and grabbing the attention of the media by continuing his election campaigning in the plush hotel overlooking the course.

The Republican was less conspicuous on Friday, although his cell phone went off as he watched Martin tee off at No. 1.

Instead, it was Pettersen who hogged the spotlight.

On a day when more than a quarter of the field shot 80 or higher, Pettersen tamed a course she described as a “beast.” She hit an 8-iron to three inches on No. 2 for the first of four birdies in her round, and emerged from holes 12-18 – playing into the wind – 1 under par.

Pettersen is oozing confidence right now. A switch of coach at the start of the year, from David Leadbetter to Butch Harmon, has led to a minor change in her swing and major change in her mentality.

“I always thought playing through the Olympics (in 2016) would be a good goal for me,” Pettersen said. “But now, feeling and seeing what I can do differently and how easy I can do stuff, it definitely has changed my perspective of my own career.

“I have a lot of goals left out there that I want to achieve.”

First-round leader Hyo-Joo Kim dropped seven shots in her last eight holes for a 78, to slip to 1 under.

McBride’s score in a round that finished in the gloom was scarcely believable, given what had happened to the rest of the field.

“It’s one of the worst rounds I’ve played, conditions-wise,” said the Swedish player. “It’s probably the best round ever in my golfing career.”

Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp make the cut to the weekend. Henderson signed for a round of 3-over 75 and sits 4-over for the tournament. Sharp sits at 5-over after a second-round 77.

TURNBERRY, Scotland –Donald Trump’s show-stealing arrival at the Women’s British Open on Thursday upstaged another strong start to a major by South Korea’s Hyo-Joo Kim.

Kim was midway through compiling a 7-under 65 in the first round when Trump, the American presidential candidate, landed in a private helicopter to begin a two-day visit at the tournament at his Turnberry resort in western Scotland.

The on-course action was initially a sideshow for Trump, who seized the attention by inviting the media to his hotel near the course to continue his presidential campaign. The Republican celebrity billionaire eventually watched some golf, although the leaderboard was virtually locked in by then.

The fourth-ranked Kim, who shot a first-round 61 in winning the Evian Championship on her major championship debut last year, was leading by one stroke from Lydia Ko of New Zealand and Cristie Kerr of the United States.

Ko, whose 66 was her lowest score in a major, is looking to become the youngest winner of a major. She’ll be 18 years, three months, nine days on Sunday, seven months younger than Morgan Pressel when the American won the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2007.

Top-ranked Inbee Park began her quest to complete a sweep of the majors by shooting 69 in what she described as “perfect conditions for golf,” with three of her five birdies coming in her last five holes.

Defending champion Mo Martin shot 70, and Michelle Wie, wearing a brace on her left ankle because of a bone spur, had a 76.

Australia’s Karrie Webb, the last champion at Turnberry in 2002, shot 80 and was joint 141st in the 144-woman field.

Trump’s grand arrival at 10:30 a.m. certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the early starters on the Ailsa Course. Ko, who went out in the second group after waking up at 3:30 a.m., was on the 16th hole when the real-estate mogul’s helicopter twice circled the Ayrshire links.

“I was like, `Man, that’s a really nice helicopter,'” Ko said. “I would love one.”

The world No. 2 already was 6 under par by then, with a run of four straight birdies from No. 2 giving her momentum. On No. 5, she gripped a 5-wood from 179 yards to inside 2 feet.

Ko is trying not to think about the history she could create this weekend.

“My goal is to have one major in my career,” Ko said, “but it doesn’t need to be now.”

Ko held the clubhouse lead for barely an hour before being overtaken by Kim, who rolled in five birdies and an eagle putt from 10 inches at the par-5 14th in her first round in a British Open.

This is only her fifth major championship – and she already has a victory as well as ninth and 11th-place finishes.

“I kept playing good today,” said Kim, who donned earmuffs to combat the early morning chill. She was one of three players in the field to be bogey-free in her first round.

Canada is represented in the field this week by Alena Sharp with an opening-round of even-par and Brooke Henderson with a score of 1-over 73.

The Trump circus is scheduled to leave Turnberry on Friday, allowing the players to take center stage at the fourth major of the year.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Australia’s Breanna Elliott won the Fuccillo Kia Championship by a stroke Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title.

Elliott closed with a 2-under 69 to finish at 13-under 200 at Capital Hills at Albany. She earned $15,000 and a 2015 Kia Optima LX.

“My new Kia, this is amazing,” said Elliott, sporting green hair and a nose ring. “I’ve been driving a rental all year and this car is definitely the cherry on top.”

She jumped from 78th to 23rd on the money list with $20,722. The top 10 at the end of the season will earn 2016 LPGA Tour cards.

“This is so sweet, I am so stocked and this is just unbelievable,” Elliott said. “I’m so happy right now, this is what I have been working for and this is huge for me. This is the first step in the right direction. This is for my family back home. I know they are going to be celebrating tonight.”

Elliott birdied the par-3 16th and closed with two pars.

“I felt really calm and I am normally a pretty relaxed person, but I thought when I was put into the moment that the nerves would creep in, but I felt this unbelievable calm,” Elliott said. “It was nice to hit a great shot on the last hole and then roll a good putt up there. Waiting to tap in the putt was just agony, but I am super pleased.”

France’s Fiona Puyo and Canada’s Augusta James tied for second. Puyo had a 65, and James shot 69.

Casey Grice, Lindy Duncan and Canada’s Sue Kim followed at 10 under. Grice and Duncan shot 67, and Kim had a 70.

Brooke Henderson finished T9 after a final round 1-under 70.

ALBANY, N.Y. – She’s done it as an amateur, but never as a professional. Breanna Elliott (Yarrawonga, Australia) drained a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to grab sole possession of the 36-hole lead at the Fuccillo Kia Championship at Capital Hills on Saturday. Elliott turned in a 5-under 66 to get to 11-under 131, one shot clear of rookie Augusta James (Bath, Ontario).

Saturday was another scoreable day as 44 players posted rounds in the 60’s.

Elliott, whose best finish this year is a tie for 24th last week in Rochester, will look to be the first Aussie to win on the Symetra Tour since Julia Boland won the 2012 Four Winds Invitational.

“Yes, a win would be huge, obviously it would be awesome to get a win under the belt,” said Elliott, who has been smiling from ear-to-ear the entire week. “Especially since I’m playing away from home, it would mean a lot to show people that I am taking my game to the next level.”

Elliott stepped on the 18th tee box in a share of the lead and landed her tee shot on the par-3 pin high and inches from the fringe.

“I wasn’t pulling the trigger today and I was leaving putts short so I gave that last putt a little extra,” said Elliott. “That was a nice way to finish and I think I needed that one.”

There is no doubt Elliott has elevated her game this week. She has 12 birdies against just one bogey through 36 holes. Her length off the tee has really helped. She is averaging 267 yards with the driver and has hit 33 of 36 greens in regulation.

“My whole season has kind of led up to the last couple of weeks,” said Elliott, who ranks 78th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. “I’ve been hitting the ball well all season and to finally be up there on the leaderboard is something I was hoping would happen. One good week can really turn your year around and last week was a good confidence booster for me.”

Elliott also got a boost of confidence two weeks ago when she played in the U.S. Women’s Open and played practice rounds with Karrie Webb, Michelle Wie and Stacey Lewis.

“From watching them play, I definitely saw that they were all aggressive,” noted Elliott of the top players in the world. “I feel like my game is there and I need to go for it instead of playing defensive golf like I have in the past. Players like Karrie that just go for the pins is really inspiring.”

The 23-year-old enjoyed a successful amateur career that included seven wins in 2012. Her best finish on the Symetra Tour is a tie for 12th at the 2014 Four Winds Invitational.

A win could move Elliott as high as 21st on the Volvik Race for the Card money list and put her in striking distance of the top 10 with eight events remaining.

The winner of the Fuccillo Kia Championship will also drive away in a 2015 Snow White Pearl Kia Optima LX courtesy of Fuccillo Kia of Schenectady.

JAMES AIMS FOR WIN NUMBER TWO: Augusta James is potentially one big finish away from locking up an LPGA Tour card. She has the chance to do that Sunday after carding a 4-under 67 to get to 10-under 132 at the Fuccillo Kia Championship at Capital Hills.

James, who started on the back nine, finished with back-to-back birdies on holes eight and nine to put an exclamation point on her day.

“It was definitely important to end with birdies because I wanted to finish strong and I felt like there was more in my round than what I was at after hole six which was just 2-under,” said James, who curled in a 20-footer to end the day. “It was a little bit outside regular range, but you have to hit a few of those to shoot low numbers.”

The 22-year-old has made just two bogeys through 36-holes and has hit 23 of 26 fairways. She has needed only 52 putts so far.

“I’m happy with the spot I put myself in for tomorrow,” said James, who was followed by a large group of friends and family again on Saturday. “I have really great hometown support and a great community that I live in. They are very special and for them to come down here means a lot.”

James won the Chico’s Patty Berg Memorial earlier this season and could become the first player to win two official events this season. She currently ranks ninth on the Volvik Race for the Card money list, but is just $1,495 in front of number 11 on the money list (Casey Grice).

“Of course you look at the money list, but then you have to give your head a shake and stop,” said James. “As cheesy as this sounds, it really is about one shot at a time and one moment at a time. If you get ahead of yourself, it is really game over.”

Every player that has won at least twice in a single-season has earned their LPGA Tour card.

In her win earlier this season, James entered the final round one shot off the lead and carded a 5-under 67 to win by four shots. She’ll be one shot back on Sunday.

BROOKE HENDERSON ‘EXCITED FOR SUNDAY’: Brooke Henderson has played in four Symetra Tour events this year. She is a combined 16-under on Sunday in those four events. Last week, she carded a 6-under 66 in Rochester to finish in a tie for seventh. On Saturday, Henderson posted a 5-under 66 to give herself a chance at her second Symetra Tour win.

“I made a lot of putts, which is always nice,” said Henderson. “I’m now very comfortable around this golf course and I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Henderson has finished in the top 10 in all four Symetra Tour starts including a win at the Four Winds Invitational. She currently ranks 39th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.

Henderson was asked if she plans on being aggressive early to make up the deficit.

“Generally, I am an aggressive player from the get go so I’ll just stick to that plan,” said Henderson. “I’m going to try and push early to put a little pressure on the leaders.”