Brooke Henderson relishes the heat of the spotlight trained on her in Canada’s LPGA tournament.

The two-time winner of the CPKC Women’s Open showed both last year in Mississauga, Ont., and in 2018 in Regina that the extra attention she gets in her home-country tournament doesn’t feel burdensome.

“This week is very demanding and it’s a very special week,” Henderson said.

“For the most part, I’ve been really able to use the energy and the atmosphere of all the fans that come out to support me. There’s so much love and there’s so just positive energy for me. I feel like I’ve been able to use that to my advantage a lot of the years, which is really exciting. 

“I’m just trying to go out and play my best and try to make it exciting for them, especially if I can get some good rounds together.”

The 28-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., will attempt both a repeat and a third victory in her home tournament starting Thursday at Edmonton’s Royal Mayfair Club.

“Winning in 2018 was a huge career highlight, a dream come true,” Henderson recalled. 

“To be able to relive that again last year was so special and the last victory that my sister was also on the bag for, since she’s been at home with her new daughter. It’s just been so much meaning to it, and having my family and friends run out onto the green after the victory was so cool.”

The US$2.75 million CPKC Women’s Open includes six of the world’s top 10 golfers, including No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States. 

Of the 14 from the top 25, Henderson is No. 11.

The winningest Canadian golfer with 14 tour victories placed in the top three in this year’s Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. Henderson lost in a playoff to South Korea’s Haeran Ryu in the latter.

Henderson is coming off a tie for 29th in the AIG Women’s Open in Britain and has made the cut all five majors this year.

“Having two back-to-back, really top major finishes in the middle of the summer felt really like my game is back to kind of how it used to be a couple years ago,” Henderson said. 

“It has given me a lot of confidence and a lot momentum for the rest of this year and I’m hoping to continue to use that this week.”

In addition to becoming an aunt, Henderson also became engaged this summer to Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Ricky Castro.

“I feel like all these amazing things off the course have really helped on the course, just being a little bit more relaxed and finding that freedom that golfers strive for,” she said.

Henderson headlines a contingent of 15 Canadians in the field of 156 professionals and amateurs at the 6,452-yard, par-70 course in Edmonton’s river valley. 

At just 17 year old, Vancouver’s Anna Huang won her fourth Ladies European Tour tournament in less than a year Aug. 9 in London.

“My game’s in a pretty good spot right now,” Huang said. “I’ve worked really hard this year to get where I am, and I’m just really excited to play among the best in the world.”

The 2026 CPKC Women’s Open is the 52nd edition of the tournament in Canada dating back to 1973.

The tournament returns to Edmonton for the fourth time and the Royal Mayfair for a third, but the first since 2013 when a 16-year-old Lydia Ko defended the title she won the previous year in Vancouver as an amateur.

Now a three-time winner of Canada’s tournament (2012, 2013, 2015), the 29-year-old from New Zealand returns to chase an unprecedented fourth. 

Pat Bradley (1980, 1985, 1986) and Meg Mallon (2000, 2002, 2004) were the only other women to win three.

Ko said the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary helped prep her game to win an Olympic gold medal in Paris later that summer.

“In many different ways this tournament has meant a lot to my career and it’s one that will always be very special to my heart,” Ko said.

Edmonton has received 56 centimetres, or 22 inches, of rain since June 1. The forecast for the tournament is for part sun and part cloud until showers roll in Saturday night.

Ko said the Mayfair course was in great shape, but she braced herself for mosquitoes that bred in wet conditions.

“I bought three different types of insect repellent yesterday and still trying to figure out which one actually works,” Ko said.

“Long sleeves and long pants and long socks because I am not showing skin. I’m just trying to be covered and not become like buffet meat for the mosquitoes.”

Added Henderson: “Everyone’s finding it very buggy so far. So far I haven’t been finding it too bad. Maybe I’m more used to it. That will definitely be a factor this week.”

Calgary holds the tournament attendance record of 73,000 set in 2024 at Earl Grey Golf Club.

Anna Huang was just six years old when she witnessed Lydia Ko win Canada’s National Open for the third time as an 18-year-old at the Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C. Seeing Ko win in person back in 2015 gave her a visual representation that success in golf could be achieved from an early age and it’s driven her to succeed and to achieve her own version of greatness in the sport.

“I would say Lydia Ko is one of my idols growing up. I remember watching Lydia win in 2015. It was so cool to see how young she was but was still able to win events on the LPGA Tour. It really inspired me to work harder to become a better golfer.”

Young Anna was introduced to the sport of golf at the age of four by her parents, Alex Huang and Amanda An.

“I just remember starting out and playing with friends. We were laughing and having a good time playing on my home course in Vancouver,” said Huang about her humble beginnings in the sport. “But right from the beginning I loved it and stuck to it.”

Huang’s passion for golf would see the ambitious and hard-working youngster put all her focus and efforts towards reaching her full potential in the sport.

She says her first validation that her hard work was paying off came with her big win at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in 2018.

“When I was nine, I played in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. It was held in the Pinehurst area in North Carolina and I won that,” she recalled.

“That tournament was all the hype back then; and it still is now for all the junior golfers. Having that win really made me believe that I could compete with the best in the world and I just have to continue working hard.”

Huang first joined Golf Canada’s NextGen team in 2023 and her coach on the squad, Jeff MacDonald, speaks about her development and her strengths as a golfer.

“Anna was 13 when she first came to our selection camp and over that time we could see she has gotten physically stronger and because of that she’s able to hit the ball further. She hits a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. She is very steady,” he said about Huang. 

“Something else that impresses me is her composure on the golf course. She’s very calm and confident. She doesn’t take a lot of risk or chances; she’s really calculated in her decisions making.”

MacDonald points to the 2023 World Junior Girls Championship where Huang made birdie on the final hole to help Team Canada win a gold medal with a one-stroke victory over Team Korea.

“Her mental toughness on the golf course is impressive. She doesn’t get overwhelmed by anything. That is something that impresses me for someone so young,” he noted.

At the 2024 Lalla Aicha Q-School in Marrakech, Morocco, Huang earned status to compete on the Ladies European Tour for the 2025 season. She made the decision to turn pro the following month to pursue the childhood dream she’s had since the age of six.

The teenage rookie pro golfer would experience her own version of greatness on the golf course in September of 2025 as she captured two LET tournaments.

The first of these impressive victories came at the La Sella Championship in Spain where she finished at 20 under, winning by seven strokes.

“That was a breakthrough victory. Honestly, going into the tournament I didn’t think I was going to win. But to win it and by seven strokes really helped to build my confidence,” said Huang about capturing her maiden title on the LET.

She followed that up by winning the Lacoste Ladies Open the following weekend by two strokes. Since then she has won another two times on the Ladies European Tour, making it four titles in less than 11 months. At just 17 years, nine months old, Huang became the youngest player in LET history to reach four career titles.

“I was just thinking a lot of the success would not be possible with the support team around me such as my family, Golf Canada, and my coaches.”

MacDonald says the wins by the former NextGen member were well deserved and very satisfying for everyone involved in her journey.

“I was incredibly happy for her and her parents because I know how much work and effort they put into it,” he noted.

“To win two weeks in a row on the LET and four wins in total is incredible and it just showed her drive to succeed and ability to compete at the highest level.”

Given her success in Europe, the talented young pro is even more driven to chase down her childhood dream of playing and excelling on the LPGA Tour – like her childhood idol. This year, Huang has the support of Golf Canada through her selection on the Professional Team where she is working with women’s head coach, Salimah Mussani.

“Anna is very mature and she’s obviously incredibly talented. Her work ethic and her golf IQ are impressive,” said Mussani about Huang.

“Anna is just very consistent in her habits and the way she goes about her daily routine. She’s willing to put in the work to refine certain things in her game. She’s definitely on the right track to reach her goals.”

Now Canada’s No. 2-ranked golfer and a Top-40 player in the world, Huang will be a fascinating player to watch to watch at this week in the CPKC Women’s Open.

Brooke Henderson and Anna Huang will represent Canada at the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire, England. 

The championship will be contested from July 30 – August 2, bringing together the world’s best players to compete for the final of the five major championships in women’s golf.  

Henderson looks to add another major 

Canada’s most accomplished professional golfer, Brooke Henderson, returns to the AIG Women’s Open looking to add a third major championship to her résumé. The 14-time LPGA Tour winner captured the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship, while also owning two CPKC Women’s Open titles. The Smiths Falls, Ont., native has enjoyed success throughout her career on links-style layouts and will once again look to contend against the world’s top players at Royal Lytham & St Annes. 

Henderson is scheduled to begin her championship: 

• Round 1: Thursday, July 30 – 1:26 p.m. BST 

• Round 2: Friday, July 31 – 8:42 a.m. BST 

Huang makes another major appearance 

Joining Henderson in the field is Vancouver’s Anna Huang, one of Canada’s brightest young stars. The teenager continues her rapid rise after turning professional in 2025 and earning multiple victories on the Ladies European Tour. Huang has quickly established herself among Canada’s next generation of elite golfers and will make another appearance on one of golf’s biggest stages this week.  

Huang’s opening-round tee times are: 

• Round 1: Thursday, July 30 – 12:09 p.m. BST 

• Round 2: Friday, July 31 – 7:25 a.m. BST 

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EDMONTON – Brooke Henderson draws a direct line between her recent success on the golf course to her happiness off of it.

Top-three finishes in her last two majors — including a monster final round at the Evian Championship put her in a playoff — has coincided with becoming an aunt and an escalation in her love life.

Minnesota Twins prospect Ricky Castro got down on one knee on a beach in Florida and proposed to Henderson two days after she posted three eagles, including a hole in one, in her final-round 64 in France.

The winningest golfer in Canadian history said yes. The couple made their engagement public in a social media post Sunday.

“It’s been an amazing month. I’m really grateful for how great things have been off the course for me recently,” Henderson said Monday in Edmonton.

“When you have that positive energy and you have kind of that happiness other than from golf, I think it’s really key and then it definitely translates over into the game of golf.”

Henderson stopped in at the Royal Mayfair Club where she will attempt to defend her CPKC Women’s Open, which is the Canadian Open, in August.

The 28-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., owns a career 14 LPGA Tour wins, including two majors. 

Henderson tied for third in the Women’s PGA Championship on June 28 before her final-weekend surge in the Evian, where she recorded six eagles over her final two rounds.

Seven strokes off the lead heading into the final day, Henderson laid down her best round this season to flirt with a third major, and a second Evian title after claiming it in 2022.

Henderson lost to South Korea’s Haeran Ryu in a playoff, but she feels good about her game heading into her next major, which is next week’s AIG Women’s Open in Lancashire, England.

Henderson’s impending nuptials competed with her golf game as question topics at Monday’s news conference to promote the Canadian tournament Aug. 19-23. 

Henderson won it last year at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club and in 2018 at Regina’s Wascana Country Club.

No wedding date yet, Henderson said.

“We’re just kind of enjoying this phase right now,” she said. “Probably not for like a while, at least a year, maybe a year and a half.”

Castro, 26, signed with the Twins in 2024 and is currently pitching for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.

“He’s an incredible athlete, he’s a pitcher and I feel like there’s a lot of correlations between pitcher and golfer,” Henderson said.

“Just being able to talk to him about a lot of certain things and things that are going well for him or not so well for him, and me being able share those same experiences and kind of learn from each other has been really helpful over the course that we’ve known each other.”

Henderson gained a niece in June, but lost her longtime caddie in January when sister Brittany went on maternity leave. 

Sahalee, born June 25, is named for Washington’s Sahalee Country Club where Brooke captured her first major in 2016 with Brittany on her bag.

Life on and off the course was hard for Henderson without her sister. Henderson placed third in their last tournament together, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in January.

Henderson ranked outside the top 20, and missed cuts twice, in her next 10 tournaments before her re-emergence at the Women’s PGA Championship.

Her cousin Ryan Henderson took over caddie duties for veteran John Killeen at the end of May.

“Having my sister on my bag for 11 seasons, she’s my best friend and being able to travel around the world together was honestly a dream come true,” Henderson said.

“The transition period between my sister and my cousin was challenging. I had a veteran caddie out on tour and he was amazing, but I was travelling by myself.

“It was very lonely, but now I’m travelling a little bit more with my cousin, which is great.”

Brittany still serves as a remote caddie.

“She was in labour and I sent her putting videos and she helped me with my putting,” Henderson said.

As for her engagement, Henderson said after she woke from a post-travel nap, the couple went to the lake to read Scripture.

“After we finished reading, he just talked to me for like a minute. I saw a person with a camera, like not too far away, and I was like ‘ oh, that’s weird.’ Then he got down on one knee and asked me, and it was really easy to say yes,” she recounted.

“He did everything right. He asked my dad, my mom, my grandma, my sister if it was OK. He’s just an amazing man, and I’m really grateful that he’s mine.”

Hyo Joo Kim, Miyu Yamashita, Ruoning Yin, Hannah Green and Minjee Lee join the field for the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open

CPKC Has Heart campaign to benefit official charity partner Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation along with community charity beneficiaries Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and CK Hui Heart Centre

EDMONTON, Alta. – Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced today the early commitments scheduled to compete in the 52nd playing of the CPKC Women’s Open, August 19 – 23 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alta.

Defending champion and 14-time LPGA Tour winner, Brooke Henderson (world no. 13) of Smiths Falls, Ont., will lead a field of 156 golfers that includes current world no. 1 Nelly Korda, three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion and 2024 Olympic Gold medalist Lydia Ko (world no. 11). Other notables include Hyo Joo Kim (world no. 4), Miyu Yamashita (world no. 6), Ruoning Yin (world no. 8), Hannah Green (world no. 9) and 2025 runner-up Minjee Lee (world no. 12).

The list of early commitments features five of the current top 10 and 15 of the top 25 in the Rolex World Golf Rankings. The field also includes seven of the top 10, 16 of the top 25 and 79 of the top 100 players on the 2026 Race to the CME Globe Standings. The final field will be announced on Friday, August 14.

Two-time winner and defending champion Brooke Henderson is among six past CPKC Women’s Open champions competing for Canada’s Women’s National Open Championship including Megan Khang (2023), Paula Reto (2022), Jin Young Ko (2019), Ariya Jutanugarn (2016) and Lydia Ko (2015, 2013, 2012) who will be chasing a record fourth CPKC Women’s Open title.

Last August, Henderson won her second CPKC Women’s Open title at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. Henderson fired a 4-under 67 to beat Minjee Lee by one stroke to claim her 14th career LPGA title and further strengthen herself as Canada’s all-time winningest professional golfer.

Henderson will be joined by fellow Canadians with LPGA Tour status, Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., Leah John of Vancouver, B.C. and Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont. In addition, Aphrodite Deng (Calgary, Alta.) and Anna Huang (Vancouver, B.C.) have earned exemptions into the field. Last year, the then 15-year-old Team Canada – NextGen member, Deng won the Marlene Stewart Streit medal for finishing as the low amateur in a tie for 20th. Deng also won the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and the Mizuho Americas Open, which she successfully defended this May to earn back-to-back titles. Huang is currently in her second season competing on the Ladies European Tour, where she has won three titles since turning professional last year at the age of 16. Huang won the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and the La Sella Open in her first season and added the Lalla Meryem Cup this May in Morocco.

In addition, the Royal Mayfair Golf Club will welcome seven in-year winners including, four-time winner Nelly Korda (Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, The Chevron Championship, Riviera May Open, U.S. Women’s Open), Hannah Green (HSBC Women’s World Championship, JM Eagle LA Championship), Mi Hyang Lee (Blue Bay LPGA), Hyo Joo Kim (Fortinet Founders Cup, Ford Championship), Gina Kim (Dow Championship), Yana Wilson (Dow Championship) and Miyu Yamashita (Meijer LPGA Classic).

“We are excited to announce the early commitments led by defending champion Brooke Henderson, world number one Nelly Korda and three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion, Lydia Ko into the field for our National Women’s Open Championship. The CPKC Women’s Open annually brings the best of the women’s game to Canada,” said Brian Newton, Tournament Director, CPKC Women’s Open. “The initial response from Royal Mayfair and its members along with fans in Edmonton and surrounding areas has been tremendous and we are in-store for another memorable championship next month.”

The CPKC Women’s Open through CPKC Has Heart will once again leave a meaningful impact in the host community of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship. For 2026, CPKC has selected Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, as the primary charity partner with a goal to raise more than $3.9 million in support of the advancement of their world-renowned pediatric cardiac program by providing state-of-the-art equipment including ultrasound echocardiography machines and neuromonitoring systems. In addition, the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and the CK Hui Heart Centre will be the community charity partners with CPKC generously matching donations up to $250,000.

“Helping young hearts across Canada is the enduring legacy of the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President & CEO. “We’re excited to see the tournament return to Alberta and the Edmonton community with the world’s greatest golfers and to support this marquee event’s mission to raise millions of dollars for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation benefiting children’s heart health.”

Last year, CPKC helped raise $4.5 million for heart health with donations of $4 million to MacKids and $502,000 to Trillium Health Partners. Since 2014, this tournament, which is the marquee event of the CPKC Has Heart community investment program, has helped raise over $27 million in support of children’s heart health in North America.

The 2026 tournament returns to Royal Mayfair for the third time and first since LPGA Tour star and three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko won the 2013 event as a 15-year-old amateur. Ko won back-to-back events as an amateur in 2012 and 2013 and would go on to win her third Canadian title in 2015. Royal Mayfair also hosted the championship in 2007, an event won by LPGA Tour legend Lorena Ochoa. For more than a century, Royal Mayfair has been recognized as one of Western Canada’s premier golf facilities. The club celebrated its centennial in 2022 and is one of 17 clubs to have hosted both the Women’s and Men’s National Open Championship.

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events and a signature stop on the LPGA Tour, the CPKC Women’s Open earned the LPGA Tour’s Tournament of the Year award in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023. The tournament also won additional LPGA Gold Driver Awards on multiple occasions for Best Sponsorship Activation, Best Volunteer Appreciation as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement. In addition, the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open was named Sport Tourism Canada’s International Sport Event of the Year at the 2025 Sport Tourism Canada PRESTIGE Awards.

As part of the championship’s commitment to junior golf, admission is free all week for youth aged 12 and under. General admission tickets provide access to the golf course to enjoy fan activations throughout the property and experience the thrill of major professional golf.

For information about tickets, corporate hospitality or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com.

Women in Leadership Summit returns…

Golf Canada and CPKC will host the ninth annual CPKC Women in Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 18 as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open. The summit will be held at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton and will be hosted by TSN’s Lindsay Hamilton. The day will bring together like-minded business leaders from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment and philanthropy. For more information, click here.

“The Rink” Hole and The Fare Way fan experience return…

Fans of all ages will once again be able to experience the week-long celebration of golf highlighted by The Rink Hole on the 17th hole at Royal Mayfair, and a variety of food and patio experiences in The Fare Way.

Experience the tournament with the No. 1 golf app in the country…

Experience the CPKC Women’s Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news, and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.

Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson announced some big personal news as she prepares for next week’s AIG Women’s British Open and the defence of her title at the CPKC Women’s Open next month in Edmonton.

Henderson announced on Instagram on Sunday that she is engaged to Minnesota Twins prospect Ricky Castro.

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The announcement comes after Henderson’s impressive showing at the Evian Championship last week.

Henderson set an LPGA major record with six eagles before losing in a playoff to South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran.

Henderson, 28, has 14 LPGA Tour wins, including two major titles, since turning professional in 2014.

Castro, 26, signed with the Twins in 2024 and is currently pitching for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Brooke Henderson came within one shot of capturing her third major championship on Sunday, producing one of the best rounds of her career before falling to Haeran Ryu in a playoff at the Amundi Evian Championship.

The Canadian fired a brilliant 7-under 64, highlighted by three eagles—including a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth—to erase a seven-shot deficit and force extra holes at Evian Resort Golf Club.

Henderson, the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship winner, saved her best for last. After making an ace at the eighth, she added eagles at the 10th and 18th, the latter coming after she stuck her approach to eight feet and converted the putt to tie the lead at 19-under-par.

Ryu, who entered the day with a three-shot advantage, birdied the 72nd hole to join Henderson in a playoff after carding an even-par 71.

Returning to the par-5 18th for the first playoff hole, Henderson found the rough off the tee and was forced to lay up. Ryu reached the green in two and two-putted for birdie, while Henderson could only manage par, giving the South Korean her second consecutive major championship following her victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

“Obviously very exciting to get into the playoff,” said Henderson. “Wish I had played a little bit better, but Haeran has been playing great. Congrats to her.”

The runner-up finish marks Henderson’s best result in a major since winning the Evian Championship in 2022 and continues a strong stretch of play for the Smiths Falls, Ont., native. Henderson’s next few appearances will include AIG Women’s Open and the CPKC Women’s Open. Get your tickets at cpkcwomensopen.com/tickets.

CHASKA, Minn. – Brooke Henderson recorded her best finish of the 2026 LPGA Tour season on Sunday, tying for third at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship as South Korea’s Haeran Ryu captured her first major championship.

Henderson closed with an even-par 72 at Hazeltine National Golf Club to finish at 10-under 278, three shots behind Ryu and one back of runner-up Ina Yoon.

The tie for third marks Henderson’s second top-10 finish of the season and her first in six months. It also came on the 10th anniversary of the Smiths Falls, Ont., native claiming her first major title at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Henderson opened the week with rounds of 69, 68 and 69 before posting an even-par final round. It marked the first time this season she opened a tournament with three consecutive rounds in the 60s while extending one of the LPGA Tour’s longest active streaks of making the cut at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Ryu completed a remarkable comeback after opening the championship with a one-over 73 that left her 10 shots off the lead. The 25-year-old recovered from three bogeys over her first five holes on Sunday before playing the remainder of the round bogey-free, closing with a 2-under 70 to finish at 13 under and secure a two-shot victory. It was the first major championship of Ryu’s career and made her the first player in 60 years to overcome a double-digit first-round deficit to win a major championship.

Yoon, who opened the tournament with a championship-record 9-under 63, birdied the final hole to finish alone in second at 11 under for her fifth top-10 finish of the season.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda finished in a four-way tie for eighth at 6 under, falling short in her bid to become just the third player to win the season’s first three LPGA Tour major championships.

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See Henderson compete at the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton, August 19-23 at Royal Mayfair Golf Club. Tickets are available at www.cpkcwomensopen.com/tickets.

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Sixteen months ago, Anna Huang was at home in Vancouver wrestling with one of the biggest decisions of her young life: whether to turn professional. At just 16 years old, she wasn’t sure if making the leap so early was the right move. 

Fast forward to today, and the Canadian teenager has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in women’s golf. This week, she’ll tee it up at the U.S. Women’s Open, marking her third appearance in a major championship and fifth LPGA start. 

“It’s cool when you used to just watch these events and suddenly, you’re playing in them,” Huang said ahead of her trip to Los Angeles. “I have yet to make the cut at a major, so the goal is to make the cut and try to go low on the weekend.” 

To do that, she’ll need to maintain the strong form that has fueled her rapid rise through the professional ranks. Riviera Country Club’s demanding setup will present a stern test, and Huang knows her putting could be the difference-maker. With difficult pin positions expected throughout the week, capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be crucial. 

Despite her early success, Huang admits she’s still learning from the whirlwind of experiences that have come in such a short span of time. For now, her focus remains simple; continue developing her game, embrace the journey and enjoy the ride. 

Her confidence has grown alongside her results. Earlier this season, Huang became the youngest player in Ladies European Tour history to win three titles, breaking a record previously held by one of her idols, Lydia Ko. 

“I’ve always looked up to Lydia, and it’s so hard to beat a Lydia Ko record,” she said with a smile. “I grew up watching her play, and in 2015, when she was playing the CPKC Women’s Open in Vancouver, that was a really cool experience for me.” 

While Ko has gone on to become one of the game’s biggest stars, an LPGA Hall of Famer and a fixture among the world’s elite, Huang hopes her own career can follow a similar trajectory. She has climbed to a career-high No. 51 in the world rankings after starting her professional career at nearly No. 1,200 just over a year ago. 

The rapid ascent has surprised even Huang herself. As an amateur, she never cracked the world’s top 100. 

“It’s crazy — when you look at the rankings, it just goes ‘boop,’ straight up,” Huang said with a laugh, gesturing upward. “I definitely didn’t expect to get this high in the rankings so quickly, and I’m really grateful that I’ve been able to play so well in my first couple of years.” 

One person who isn’t surprised is Salimah Mussani, one of Huang’s coaches and the leader of Team Canada’s women’s program. Mussani points to Huang’s exceptional golf IQ and relentless attention to detail as key reasons for her success. 

“Very, very mature. Very self-aware,” said Mussani. “She has amazing reflection skills, understands what’s happening in her game and knows how to make adjustments. She’s not afraid to try different things, and she’s not afraid to be vulnerable. Those are all traits of a high-performance athlete.” 

Huang won’t be the only Canadian competing at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open. She’ll be joined by Brooke Henderson and amateurs Lauren Kim and Aphrodite Deng. But with a spot already secured in this week’s championship and the remaining three majors on the calendar, Canadian golf fans should expect to see Huang’s name on some of the sport’s biggest stages for years to come. 

Canada’s National Women’s Open returns to the province of Quebec for the first time since 2011

CPKC Has Heart to leave meaningful community legacy in support of pediatric heart health

GATINEAU, Que. (May 25, 2026) – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced today that The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que. will host the 2027 CPKC Women’s Open August 18-22, 2027.

The 2027 tournament, the 53rd playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open championship, returns the event to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club for the second time and the first since 2000. That year, Meg Mallon won her first of three national Women’s Open titles by one shot over Rosie Jones. This will be the tournament’s sixth appearance in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, the last being in 2022.

The 2027 CPKC Women’s Open will mark the 14th time that the event has been contested in the province of Quebec and the first since 2011 at Hillsdale Golf and Country Club in Mirabel, Que.

“In partnership with CPKC, we are very pleased to announce that the CPKC Women’s Open will return to The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in 2027,” said Garrett Ball, Chief Operating Officer, Golf Canada. “Gatineau is a passionate golf community, and we are excited to return to the province of Quebec and the National Capital Region for the CPKC Women’s Open. The Royal Ottawa Golf Club have been incredible partners to Golf Canada over the years, and we extend our sincere thanks to the membership and staff. We are equally proud to partner with Ville de Gatineau, Tourism Outaouais, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism as we work collectively to deliver a memorable experience in 2027.”

The CPKC Women’s Open will once again will leave a meaningful legacy in the host community. Since 2014, CPKC has helped raise more than $27 million for children’s heart health in the communities that have hosted the CPKC Women’s Open through the company’s tournament sponsorship and the CPKC Has Heart program.

“The National Capital Region historically has been a tremendous host to the CPKC Women’s Open with wonderful fans coming out in big numbers for this incredible event and its critical mission supporting local heart charities that make such a difference in their communities,” said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel. “We look forward to returning in 2027 to raise money for another worthy cause that will leave a lasting charitable legacy in the Ottawa-Gatineau area and province of Quebec through CPKC Has Heart.” 

The CPKC Has Heart community charity partner will be announced in early 2027.

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club, one of the oldest clubs in North America, was founded in 1891 by a group of civic and business leaders eager to promote the “healthy and satisfying game” of golf. Originally named the Ottawa Golf Club, it earned its “Royal” designation in 1912 by permission of King George V. The club’s first course was a modest nine-hole layout in Sandy Hill, Ottawa, where the first Canadian Amateur Championship was held in 1895. In 1896, the Club moved to their first Quebec home on the Chelsea Road. Then, in 1903, purchased the McVeity Farm on the Aylmer Road, now the club’s permanent home, and opened their 18-hole course and magnificent clubhouse in May of 1904. Today, The Royal Ottawa Golf Club continues to honour its heritage, offering regal surroundings and challenging 18-hole and 9-hole courses that reflect its storied past.

The main course layout is designed according to the ‘Scottish principle’ with emphasis on the natural layout of the land, rather than artificially created hazards. The hills and dales, various tee positions, small and fast greens will offer a fair challenge to the LPGA Tour’s best.

The historic club also holds the record for hosting the most Canadian Amateur Championships, most recently hosting the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, this past July, marking the 14th Amateur Championship hosted. The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is also one of only eight clubs in Canada to host Golf Canada’s four premier events: RBC Canadian Open, CPKC Women’s Open, Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

“The Royal Ottawa Golf Club and its Board of Directors are thrilled to be hosting the top women golfers in the world in 2027. Our championship golf course, maintained to the highest standards, historic clubhouse and accessible location in Gatineau, Quebec, just a short par 5 away from Ottawa are ready to show off what our members enjoy every day to the world,” said Greg Richardson, General Manager, The Royal Ottawa Golf Club. “The Senior Management team and I look forward to working with the many volunteers who will make this event a success. With the support of the Ottawa Valley golf community, we aim not only to host a memorable championship but also to raise impactful funds for local charities through the CPKC Has Heart program.”

This past August, Canada’s own Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. won her second CPKC Women’s Open title at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. Henderson fired a 4-under 67 to beat Minjee Lee by one stroke to claim her 14th career LPGA title and further strengthen herself as Canada’s all-time winningest professional golfer. Fifteen-year-old Team Canada – NextGen member, Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alta., won the Marlene Stewart Streit medal for finishing as the low amateur in a tie for 20th.

One of Canada’s premier annual sporting events and a signature stop on the LPGA Tour, the CPKC Women’s Open has been named Sport Tourism Canada’s International Sport Event of the Year (2024) and is a two-time recent winner of the LPGA Tour’s Tournament of the Year (2022-2023)

The 2026 CPKC Women’s Open will take place August 19-23, 2026, at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alta. Tickets are now on sale. To purchase or for information about volunteer opportunities or corporate hospitality, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES

“Gatineau is proud to host the 2027 CPKC Women’s Open and to welcome such outstanding talent to our community. This is the kind of event that showcases our city, generates momentum, and highlights the important place women’s sport deserves.” – Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette

“We’re proud to welcome the CPKC Women’s Open back to the National Capital Region and to showcase our destination on an international stage. Working closely with partners on both sides of the Ottawa River, we’re excited to help deliver a seamless, world‑class experience for athletes, fans and partners, and to welcome golf fans from around the world to our region.” – Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism