Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Team USA continues to dominate the 15 country field of competitors at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship after firing a team-total score of 7-under par 137 to increase their lead to 16 shots heading into the final round of the inaugural event at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course) in Markham, Ont.

After starting the day with a comfortable 12-shot lead, Team USA (137-141-137—415) continued their sizzling play on Tuesday and with only 18 holes to play, look poised to claim the championship team title on Wednesday at Angus Glen.

Mika Liu (70-69-67—206) continued to lead the way for the Americans shooting 5-under 67 Tuesday and pairing with teammate Megan Khang (67-73-70—210) to count a team score of 7-under 137 to lead the host Canadian team by 16 shots heading into Wednesday’ final round.

“You know what, I am just so proud of these kids – it’s shaping up really well,” said Team USA non-playing captain Courtney Myhrum. “This is a marathon, this format – everybody has to play well, you can’t just have one superstar on your team. This kid (Mika), is unbelievable, they all are. I think we have a 16 stroke lead going into the final round and it’s a nice place to be.”

Liu, 15, tied the low round of the tournament with her 5-under 67 that included six birdies and a single bogey under breezy overcast conditions at Angus Glen. The young American standout set out Tuesday to improve on her 69 a day earlier and did just that.

“Today, I improved on what I practiced yesterday. I hit the fairways I missed yesterday, I hit greens, and just had many more opportunities for birdies, and I did make more,” said Liu, currently the no. 48 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. I only made one bogey today, so that was very helpful. I will continue to work on my swing, and I will focus mainly on putting again – both on the short putts and long ones for speed. Mentally, I will still be the same as during the practice round. I will play my game, talk to my teammates, talk to the other players and enjoy my time out there.”

Khang (16), carded three birdies and a single bogey for a third-round, 2-under 70 as the second USA score to count while 15-year old teammate Angel Yin (73-72-73—218) shot a non-counting 1-over 73 to round out the USA team scores.

Team Canada (144-146-141—431), had their best team score of the tournament, shooting 3-under on the day. Naomi Ko (17) of Victoria (77-79-70—226) shot her best round of the tournament, 2-under 70, to lead the way for Canada who head into Wednesday’s final round two shots up on Team Denmark (149-143-141—433) for second spot in the team competition.

Brooke Henderson (17) of Smiths Falls, Ont. (70-73-71—214) counted a score of 1-under 71 for Canada while teammate Grace St. Germain (16) of Ottawa (74-73-78—225) rounding out the Canadian scores with a 6-over 78.

Besides Team USA, Canada and Denmark holding down the top three positions, Spain is alone in fourth at 3-over for the tournament (147-146-142—435) with Italy (147-145-146—438) and Sweden (150-144-144—438) tied for fifth at 6-over.

Canada’s second team in the competition comprised of Jaclyn Lee (17) of Calgary (72-77-75—224), Selena Costabile (16) of Thornhill, Ont. (78-74-74—226) and Alisha Lau (14) of Richmond, B.C. (83-80-75—238) shot a team-total, 5-over 149 (150-151-149—450) are in 13^th position at 18-over through 54 holes.

With her third-round 67, Mika Liu (70-69-67—206) continues to top the individual leader boad at 10-under par, four shots better than her USA teammate Megan Khang (67-73-70—210). Canada’s Brooke Henderson (70-73-71—214) is alone in third at 2-under for the tournament while Denmark’s Line Hansen (76-67-72—215) and Hana Ryskova of the Czech Republic (74-71-70—215) are tied for fourth at 1-under.

Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – After starting the day with a 7-shot lead, Team USA (137-141—278) continued their impressive play Monday and now hold a commanding 12-shot lead through 36 holes at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course) in Markham, Ont.

Mika Liu (70-69—139) and teammate Angel Yin (73-72—145) counted a second-round team score of 3-under 141 to lead the host Canadian team by 12 shots heading into Tuesday’s third round.

“I can’t be more proud of these kids; I’m really just their No. 1 fan,” said non-playing captain Courtney Myhrum on the team’s score of 10-under 278 through 36 holes. “To have a complete game and the age of 15 or 16 is amazing. Mika, Megan and Angel they just grind, absolutely grind. They just don’t get flustered. What I tell them is to relax, have fun, enjoy the moment and take one shot at a time. I’m just there to encourage them all the way around.”

Liu, 15, led the way for Team USA shooting 3-under 69 in a round that included two bogies, three birdies and a impressive eagle on the 380 yard, par-4, 10^th hole at Angus Glen (South Course), holing out from 177 yards with a 5-hybrid.

“That eagle was amazing,” said Liu, currently the no. 48 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking. “I had 177 yards from the rough and on a downhill lie. My first plan was to get in on the green. I was between a 5-hyrid and a 5-wood and I decided to go with the hybrid to play it safe. I hit my shot and all of a sudden the Australian coach just started standing up and clapping and clapping. I was like, what’s going on? I got up there and my ball was in the hole. I just took it and kissed it. I was very happy.”

Yin (15) carded three birdies over three bogies for a second-round, even-par 72 as the second USA score to count while 16-year old teammate Megan Khang (67-73—140), the opening-round individual leader, shot a non-counting 1-over 73 to round out the USA team scores.

Team Canada (144-146—290), led by the world’s no. 1 ranked amateur Brooke Henderson (17) of Smiths Falls, Ont. shot a team-total 2-over 146 and is alone in second at 2-over through 36 holes, 12 shots off the lead.

Henderson (70-73—143) and teammate Grace St. Germain (16) of Ottawa (74-73—147) counted matching scores of 1-over 73 for Canada on Monday with Naomi Ko (17) of Victoria (77-79—156) rounding out the Canadian scores at the midway point of the championship.

Team Denmark (149-143—292), who began the day in 7^th, counted an impressive second-round, 5-under 67 by 15-year old Line Hansen (76-67—143) to jump into a share of third with Italy (147-145—292) at 4-over with Spain (147-146—293) rounding out the top-five at 5-over.

Canada’s second team in the competition comprised of Jaclyn Lee (17) of Calgary (72-77—149), Selena Costabile (16) of Thornhill, Ont. (78-74—152) and Alisha Lau (14) of Richmond, B.C. (83-80—163) shot a team-total, 7-over 151 (150-151—301) are in 13^th position at 13-over through 36 holes.

With her second-round 69, Liu (70-69—139) takes over the top spot on the individual leaderboard at 5-under, one shot better than her USA teammate Megan Khang (67-73—140). Canada’s Brooke Henderson (70-73—143) is tied for third with Denmark’s Line Hansen (76-67—143) at 1-under while Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey (77-67—144) and Finland’s Anna Backman (71-73—144) are tied for fifth at even par 144.

MARKHAM, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Megan Khang (5-under 67) and Mika Liu (2-under 70) shot an opening-round team-total 7-under 137 to give Team USA a 7-shot, opening-round lead at the inaugural  World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course) in Markham, Ont.

Khang, 16, carded six birdies and a single bogey going off the back nine of the South Course at Angus Glen on Sunday. Currently the no. 40 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Khang finished her opening-round in impressive fashion with birdies on her final four holes.

“I was hitting a lot of great approach shots coming in and my short game was working really well for me,” said Khang following her round. “That’s what I’ve been working on the most and it’s great to see it coming all together. The course was in great shape; I blew some putts by but made some comebackers and that gave me a great confidence boost in the putter.”

Megan Khang (Golf Canada/ Terry Lenyk)

Liu, 15, had five birdies and three bogies in her opening round as the second US score to count while teammate Angel Yin shot a (non-counting) 1-over 73 in her opening round.

For Team USA non-playing captain Courtney Myhrum, the team executed their game plan and left their captain brimming with pride following their round.

“I’m so proud, the team did a wonderful job; the course was playing great and I’m in awe of how they hit the ball,” said Myhrum. “What impresses me so much is that these kids hit greens in regulation and give themselves birdie opportunities one after another. They’re very consistent off the tee and they didn’t get into any trouble.”

Team Canada, led by the world’s no. 1 ranked amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. sits alone in second at even-par 144 through 18 holes. Henderson (2-under 70) and teammates Grace St. Germain of Ottawa (2-over 74) and Naomi Ko of Victoria (5-over 77) were grouped with Team USA in Sunday’s opening round at Angus Glen.

Henderson, 17, finished with four birdies including her final two holes while St-Germain, 16, was 1-under through 16 holes before a bogey on her 17th hole and a double-bogey finish for Canada’s two counting scores.

“It was little bit slow to start, I wasn’t hitting the ball quite as good as I would have liked to,” said Henderson, who earlier this year finished runner-up at the US Women’s Amateur and was the low individual at the recent World Amateur Team Championship. “Throughout the round I started to get a bit more comfortable. The last couple of holes I was playing my best golf; three birdies in the last four or five holes so I’m happy with that.”

Brooke Henderson (Golf Canada/ Terry Lenyk)

Team Finland’s Anna Backman (1-under 71), Sandra Salonen (2-over 74) and Ellinoora Moisio (10-over 82) are alone in third at 145. Rounding out the top-five tied at 3-over 147 are the Italian trio of Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso (1-over 73), Calotta Ricolfi (2-over 74) and Martina Flori (4-over 76) as well as Spain’s Ana Pelaez Trivino (1-over 73), Alejandra Pasarin Olalla (2-over 74) and Nuria Iturrios (9-over 81).

Canada’s second team in the competition comprised of Jaclyn Lee of Calgary (even-par 72), Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. (6-over 78) and Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C. (11-over 83) shot a team-total, 6-over 150 sit tied for 8th with Belgium and Sweden.

With her opening round 67, Khang sits alone atop the individual leader board with a three-shot lead over Liu (70) and Henderson (70) heading into Monday’s second round.  Finland’s Anna Backman is fourth at 1-under 70 while Canadian Jaclyn Lee and England’s India Clyburn are tied for fifth at even-par 72 through 18 holes.

Visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com for additional information about the World Junior Girls Championship.

MARKHAM, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Megan Khang (5-under 67) and Mika Liu (2-under 70) shot an opening-round team-total 7-under 137 to give Team USA a 7-shot, opening-round lead at the inaugural  World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course) in Markham, Ont.

Khang, 16, carded six birdies and a single bogey going off the back nine of the South Course at Angus Glen on Sunday. Currently the no. 40 ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Khang finished her opening-round in impressive fashion with birdies on her final four holes.

“I was hitting a lot of great approach shots coming in and my short game was working really well for me,” said Khang following her round. “That’s what I’ve been working on the most and it’s great to see it coming all together. The course was in great shape; I blew some putts by but made some comebackers and that gave me a great confidence boost in the putter.”

Megan Khang (Golf Canada/ Terry Lenyk)

Liu, 15, had five birdies and three bogies in her opening round as the second US score to count while teammate Angel Yin shot a (non-counting) 1-over 73 in her opening round.

For Team USA non-playing captain Courtney Myhrum, the team executed their game plan and left their captain brimming with pride following their round.

“I’m so proud, the team did a wonderful job; the course was playing great and I’m in awe of how they hit the ball,” said Myhrum. “What impresses me so much is that these kids hit greens in regulation and give themselves birdie opportunities one after another. They’re very consistent off the tee and they didn’t get into any trouble.”

Team Canada, led by the world’s no. 1 ranked amateur Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. sits alone in second at even-par 144 through 18 holes. Henderson (2-under 70) and teammates Grace St. Germain of Ottawa (2-over 74) and Naomi Ko of Victoria (5-over 77) were grouped with Team USA in Sunday’s opening round at Angus Glen.

Henderson, 17, finished with four birdies including her final two holes while St-Germain, 16, was 1-under through 16 holes before a bogey on her 17th hole and a double-bogey finish for Canada’s two counting scores.

“It was little bit slow to start, I wasn’t hitting the ball quite as good as I would have liked to,” said Henderson, who earlier this year finished runner-up at the US Women’s Amateur and was the low individual at the recent World Amateur Team Championship. “Throughout the round I started to get a bit more comfortable. The last couple of holes I was playing my best golf; three birdies in the last four or five holes so I’m happy with that.”

Brooke Henderson (Golf Canada/ Terry Lenyk)

Team Finland’s Anna Backman (1-under 71), Sandra Salonen (2-over 74) and Ellinoora Moisio (10-over 82) are alone in third at 145. Rounding out the top-five tied at 3-over 147 are the Italian trio of Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso (1-over 73), Calotta Ricolfi (2-over 74) and Martina Flori (4-over 76) as well as Spain’s Ana Pelaez Trivino (1-over 73), Alejandra Pasarin Olalla (2-over 74) and Nuria Iturrios (9-over 81).

Canada’s second team in the competition comprised of Jaclyn Lee of Calgary (even-par 72), Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. (6-over 78) and Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C. (11-over 83) shot a team-total, 6-over 150 sit tied for 8th with Belgium and Sweden.

With her opening round 67, Khang sits alone atop the individual leader board with a three-shot lead over Liu (70) and Henderson (70) heading into Monday’s second round.  Finland’s Anna Backman is fourth at 1-under 70 while Canadian Jaclyn Lee and England’s India Clyburn are tied for fifth at even-par 72 through 18 holes.

Visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com for additional information about the World Junior Girls Championship.

Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The world’s best female junior golfers are set to compete in a showcase international competition as the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship will run September 26^th to October 1^st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario Canada.

An elite field of female junior golfers will compete at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship which will be conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario.

In all, 48 of the world’s top female junior golfers representing 15 different countries worldwide will compete in both a team and individual competition on the South Course at Angus Glen.

The championship features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In addition to a 72-hole competition, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will include an international golf coaches’ summit, golf clinics and a fundraising golf tournament conducted by the Golf Canada Foundation in partnership with TORONTO 2015. The World Junior Girls Golf Championship will also include the sixth annual CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event.

What you need to know about the World Junior Girls Golf Championship:

The Event: The inaugural World Junior Girls Championship

Where: Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course)
10080 Kennedy Road, Markham, Ont., L6C 1N9
www.angusglen.com

When: Friday, September 26^th to Wednesday, October 1^st

Admission: Free for spectators all week.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, September 26^th   
Golf Canada & TORONTO 2015 Fundraising Golf Event (2:00pm)
Coaching Summit – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO)
Skill Development Clinic (3:00pm-5:00pm)

Saturday, September 27^th         
Championship Practice Round (7:30am – 9:00am)
CN Future Links National Junior Skills Challenge Final (11:00am)
Official Opening Ceremony (5:30pm)

Sunday, September 28^th       
Round 1 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee)

Monday, September 29^th      
Round 2 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee

Tuesday, September 30^th     
Round 3 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee

Wednesday, October 1^st       
Final Round / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee
Closing Ceremony (immediately following the completion of play –approximately 2:00pm)

Format:
Team Competition: 3 players per country (best 2 out of 3 scores count each day); 72 holes of stroke play; no cut
Individual Competition: 72 holes of stroke play; no cut

Countries represented: 15
(Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and USA). Click here for a full listing of team rosters.

Notables Players Set to Compete:

• Brooke Henderson (Canada) – no. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; Runner-up at 2014 US & Canadian Amateur; Low Amateur at 2014 US Women’s Open; Low Individual at 2014 World Amateur
• Megan Khang (USA) – no. 40 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; two-time US Open competitor
• Mika Liu (USA) – no. 48 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Karis Davidson (Australia) – no. 53 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Australian Amateur runner-up
• Angela Yin (USA)– no. 57 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; medalist at 2014 US Junior Girls
• Nuria Iturrios Servera (Spain) – no. 61 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2012 silver medal & 2013 bronze medal at European Girls Team Championship
• Alice Hewson (England) – no. 75 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; quarter-finalist at 2014 British Amateur
• Alejandra Pasarin Olalla (Spain) – no. 108 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Inci Mehmet (England) – no. 113 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Puk Lyng Thomsen (Denmark) – no. 129 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Ana Pelaez Trivino (Spain) – no. 131 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Hannah Green (Australia) – no. 156 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• So Jin (Jenny) Lee (Australia) – no. 179 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland) – no. 227 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; Irish Girls U18 Open Stroke Play champion
• Julianna Alvarez (New Zealand) – no. 260 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; T10 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
• Naomi Ko (Canada) – no. 279 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 British Columbia Junior champion
• Jaclyn Lee (Canada) – no. 423 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Alberta Amateur & Junior champion
• Selena Costabile (Canada) – no. 426 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 GAO Spring Classic champion
• Maria Fassi (Mexico) – no. 459 on World Amateur Golf Rankings; T13 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
• Sandra Salonen (Finland) – T20 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
• Grace St-Germain (Canada) – no. 472 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Canadian Junior Girls champion

Canadians in the Field:

• Brooke Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. (17)
• Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C. (17)
• Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont. (16)
• Jaclyn Lee, Calgary (17)
• Selena Costabile, Thornhill, Ont. (16)
• Alisha Lau, Richmond, B.C. (14)

As the host country, Canada will field two team in the competition – one team will featuring Brooke Henderson, Grace St-Germain and Naomi Ko while the second team includes Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile and Alisha Lau. Click here for a listing of Team Canada player bios.

The Canadian teams will be coached by Team Canada Development Squad Women’s Coach Ann Carroll, alongside Reggie Millage, the provincial Head Coach for the Golf Association of Ontario.

Supporting Partners:
A special thank you to our partners who have aligned their brand with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship including the International Golf Federation; the R&A; Sport Canada; the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Central Counties; TORONTO 2015; the PGA of Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation.

Conducted by:
Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario

URL: www.worldjuniorgirls.com

MARKHAM, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario is pleased to announce the six players who will represent Team Canada’s two squads at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship September 26th to October 1st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.

Representing the first of two Canadian squads competing are Brooke Henderson, 17, of Smiths Falls, Ont., Grace St-Germain, 16, of Ottawa, Ont. and Naomi Ko, 17, of Victoria, B.C. Canada’s second team in the event will include Jaclyn Lee of Calgary, Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont. and Alisha Lau of Richmond, B.C.

The Canadian contingent will be coached by Team Canada Development Squad Women’s Coach Ann Carroll, alongside Reggie Millage the provincial Head Coach for the Golf Association of Ontario.

The inaugural international junior girls championship – which will be contested on the South Course at Angus Glen Golf Club – will be conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario.

The championship features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19 representing 15 countries. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition. A full listing of rosters for each country can be found here and full bios for the Canadians selected can be found below.

The 16-team field will compete over 72 holes for both individual and team honours. Qualifying countries for the inaugural championship were invited based on their performances at the 2012 World Amateur in Turkey.

The 2014 World Junior Girls Golf Championship will mark the first official playing of a female junior championship of its kind – the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup is a boys’ only event that has been contested for almost 20 years.

The event – which is supported by the International Golf Federation, received grant funding by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Other funding partners include the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Fund) and the R&A as well as Central Counties.  Funding was also provided from the Federal and Provincial governments in preparation for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

In addition to a 72-hole competition, the championship will include skills competitions, an international golf coaches’ summit and golf clinics outside of tournament play in the spirit of establishing an interactive junior golf festival around the championship.

The Angus Glen Golf Club will also play host to the debut of golf at the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games from July 16-19, 2015. The World Junior Girls Golf Championship will provide training opportunities for officials and volunteers registered for the historic event that is set for the south course at Angus Glen.

The event gets underway with Opening Ceremonies at Angus Glen beginning at 5:30pm on Saturday, September 27th.

Admission to the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free for all spectators for the duration of the championship. For more information visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

TEAM CANADA PLAYERS BIOS

Squad # 1

Brooke Henderson
As the No. 1 ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, the Smiths Falls, Ont. native has captured seven amateur titles this season and two professional titles (Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario and PGA Women’s Championship of Canada). A member of Team Canada’s National Amateur Squad, Henderson recently won the individual medal at the World Amateur Championship. Additionally, she finished runner-up at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and also finished T10 at the U.S. Women’s Open. She also earned Low Canadian and Low Amateur honours at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open where she finished T46 and while also finishing T45 at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.

Grace St-Germain
A native of Ottawa, Ont., St-Germain captured the 2014 Canadian Junior Girls Championship by seven strokes. The 16-year-old was also victorious at the Quebec Women’s Amateur Championship and earned medalist honours at the GAO’s Junior Girls’ Match Play Championship. Recently she added another win to her season at the Graham Cooke Junior Invitational.

Naomi Ko
A member of Team Canada’s National Development Squad, Ko is the reigning 2014 B.C. Junior Girls champion. Additionally, the 17-year-old Victoria, B.C. native won the CN Future Links Ontario title and finished fourth at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship.

Squad # 2

Jaclyn Lee
Lee is a three-time winner this season after victories at the CN Future Links Prairie Championship, Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship and Alberta Junior Girls Championship. The Calgary native is also a member of Team Canada’s National Development Squad.

Selena Costabile
A native of Thornhill, Ont., Costabile captured the 2014 GAO Junior Spring Classic and the CJGA World Junior Challenge. The 16-year-old also finished runner-up at the CN Future Links Ontario Championship and notched a pair of third place finishes at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship and the AJGA/CJGA’s Junior Championship.

Alisha Lau
A native of Richmond, B.C., Lau was victorious at the CJGA’s Nike Golf Junior Series at Hazelmere, finished second at the CN Future Links Prairie Championship and fourth at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. Additionally, the 15-year-old posted a third place finish at the B.C. Women’s Amateur Championship.

PERTH, Australia – Minjee Lee turned professional Sunday, a day after leading Australia to a comeback victory in Japan in the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship.

The 18-year-old Lee, No. 1 in the world amateur golf ranking and 82nd overall, made the announcement in a light-hearted video with Matthew Pavlich, captain of the Fremantle Australian Rules football team.

Lee will make her first appearance as a professional next week in the Evian Championship in France.

Born in Perth and a member of the Royal Fremantle Golf Club, Lee won the 2012 U.S. Junior Girls’, the 2013 and 2004 Australian Women’s Amateur titles and the 2014 Victorian Open.

She was low amateur at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California in April in her first start in a major championship, and received the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the No. 1 women’s amateur this year.

Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. will jump from second to first in the amateur ranking. The 16-year-old won the individual title in Japan Saturday, beating second-place Lee by three strokes, and leading Canada to a second-place finish.

KARUIZAWA, Japan – Canada’s trio combined for a 5-under 139 to retain their two-stroke lead following Thursday’s second round of stroke play at the Iriyama course at Karuizawa 72 Golf East.

Brooke Henderson, a 16-year-old Smiths Falls, Ont. native, led the team for a second straight day with a 3-under 69. The National Amateur Squad member struggled out of the gate with a bogey on the par-4 3^rd, but countered with four birdies in her next eight holes.

Henderson, this year’s U.S. Amateur runner-up, was pleased with being able to fight back after struggling out of the gate.

“It was a slow start, the first few holes I was 1-over but I was able to get my game back a little bit,” said the world’s no. 2 ranked female amateur. “The birdie at the last really saved my round and got it into the 60s – any day in the 60s is a good day.”

Brittany Marchand, an Orangeville, Ont. native, posted a 2-under 70 as the team’s second lowest score on the day. The 22-year-old National Team member carded a crucial birdie on 17 to help maintain the two-stroke lead.

“I had quite a lot of opportunities coming up the last stretch and I was just missing them, lipping out, just missing the edge, so to make one on 17 was really good for my own confidence going into tomorrow,” said the 5^th year N.C. State student.

Augusta James, 21, struggled with a 4-over 76 after carding a 69 in the opening round. The Bath, Ont. native remains optimistic with the team format after her score was discounted as the highest of the three.

“We talked a lot this week about taking care of ourselves individually and focusing on each shot of our own game, which in the end will help the team,” said the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion. “I will continue to focus on that for the next two days.”

Team captain, Liz Hoffman, acknowledged the team’s slow start but credited the overall determination of the girls to get back to where they want to be.

“What I saw today in Brooke, Augusta and Brittany was just tremendous determination, they really worked hard at focusing and playing every shot to the best of their ability – I’m very proud of the team today,” said Hoffman.

She also credited the team’s success to their preparation, and direction from National Team Head Coach, Tristan Mullally.

“We do a lot of learning and work in prepping for each round,” she said. “We watch very carefully what each player is doing, how the ball is reacting, and we try to gain some advantage from that.”

Canada holds a two-stroke lead over Japan at 12-under par, who are closely followed by defending champion Korea at 11-under par.

The Canadian contingent is back on the Oshitate course tomorrow, scheduled for the late tee-off times, beginning at 11:05 a.m. (JST). They will be grouped with Japan and Korea.

Click here for team scoring.

Click here for individual scoring.

KARUIZAWA, Japan – Canada sits alone atop the leaderboard after Wednesday’s record-setting opening round of 9-under par at Karuizawa 72 Golf East. They hold a two stroke advantage over defending champion Korea in the quest for the Espirito Santo trophy.

Canada’s combined score of 135 is the lowest first-round score in Women’s World Amateur Team Championship history. The record was previously held by USA, who recorded a 136 at the 2010 playing in Argentina.

The Canadian trio was led by teen sensation Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. The 16-year-old Team Canada member fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 to record the day’s lowest score. Henderson is very pleased with her start, but is looking forward to the next three rounds.

“Yeah, it was a great day today, I hit the ball really well and had a lot of opportunities to make birdies and I capitalized on a lot of them,” said Henderson, the world’s no. 2 ranked female amateur. “It’s good to get a run on the first day and I’m really excited to play the next couple days and hopefully continue at the top of the leaderboard.”

Augusta James, the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, posted a 3-under 69 – recorded as the team’s second lowest score for the day. The Bath, Ont. native was happy with her ability to stay calm and bounce back after bogeying the 10^th and 12^th holes.

“I had a bit of a hiccup in the middle with a couple bogeys, but I was happy to come back and finish strong,” said the N.C. State senior. “I felt like I could get to three or more under, so I was happy that I did that.”

Brittany Marchand, also a member of Team Canada’s National Squad, posted a 1-under 71 which was discounted as the team’s highest score for the day. Having an under-par score discounted is always a promising sign for any team moving forward.

“It’s always good to have a throwaway score be under par – it’s awesome that my teammates helped me out today,” said the Orangeville, Ont. native. “I made a lot of up-and-downs to save par and I missed quite a few opportunities for birdies, but I’m hoping those are going to drop the rest of the week.”

Although very pleased with the team’s performance in the opening round, captain Liz Hoffman is determined to keep the team focused on the remaining three rounds.

“I’d say we played the easier of the two courses and we saw some wonderful scores out there so we know we’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Hoffman. “We have three more rounds to play – we’ll take it one shot at a time, one day at a time.”

The Canadian contingent tees-off Thursday morning starting at 9:15 a.m. (JST) on the Iriyama Course.

Click here for scoring.

Brooke Henderson & Augusta James (USGA)