Rose Zhang turns pro, accepts invite to play CPKC Women’s Open
By: Doug Ferguson/ Associated Press
Rose Zhang dominated amateur golf like no other female in the modern game. Now the Stanford star is ready to take on the best.
Zhang announced Friday she is turning pro, ending an amateur career in which the 20-year-old sophomore set the Stanford record with 12 wins — one more than Tiger Woods — in only 20 tournaments.
She won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, followed that with her second straight NCAA titles and was No. 1 in the amateur world ranking for 141 weeks, another record.
She will have no shortage of opportunities — the remaining four majors, including the U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open — have given her special exemptions.
The Women’s Open is at Pebble Beach, the most iconic of U.S. Open venues, for the first time. While no longer an amateur, Zhang is the first player to get a special invitation to the U.S. Women’s Open without having LPGA status since Michelle Wie West.
“This is a big moment for our sport, and I’m very appreciative of the USGA for the opportunity to be part of it,” Zhang said.
Even rarer is getting an invitation to the Women’s British.
“Rose Zhang is an incredibly talented golfer who has already written her name into the history books as an amateur golfer,” said Martin Slumbers, the CEO of the R&A. “It is very rare that we grant a special exemption for the AIG Women’s Open but we believe that Rose’s exceptional achievements to date warrant her inclusion in the field at Walton Heath.”
Zhang will make her debut next week in the Mizuho Americas Open, a new tournament hosted by Michelle Wie West at Liberty National in New Jersey.
“Rose is one of the greatest amateur golfers in the history of the sport – male or female – and we are thrilled to welcome her into our field,” said Jerry Rizzieri, the president and CEO of Mizuho Securities USA.
It was an example of the hype that Zhang brings with her to the professional game. But then, she has been facing expectations ever since she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Girls Junior. She was the eighth player to win both, but the first to win the Women’s Amateur (at age 17) before the Junior.
Along with the two NCAA titles — Stanford won the team title last year — the final piece of an incomparable career was the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, already among the elite amateur events because it is held at the home of the Masters.
She also will player the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, an event run by Excel Sports, the management agency with whom she signed.
Zhang grew up in Irvine, California, and spent two years at Stanford. Her 12 career titles — the last won was the NCAA — broke the record previously held by Tiger Woods, Patrick Rodgers and Maverick McNealy. She tied the Pac-12 record set by Lorena Ochoa at Arizona.
Zhang first reached No. 1 in the women’s amateur ranking in September 2020. She broke Lydia Ko’s record of 130 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and overall record (141 weeks) that was set by Leona Maguire.
Along with the two Opens, the KPMG Women’s PGA at Baltusrol and the Amundi Evian Championship in France, Zhang has accepted invitations to play the Dana Open near Toledo, Ohio, and the CPKC Women’s Open. She could qualify for other LPGA events by finishing in the top 10.
While turning pro, Zhang said she would finish her degree at Stanford.
Introducing the CPKC Women’s Open
Golf Canada
Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship renamed following the historic rail merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern
May 17, 2023 – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have announced the tournament known since 2014 as the CP Women’s Open is now the CPKC Women’s Open.
The renaming of Canada’s National Women’s Golf Championship follows the historic combination of title sponsor, Canadian Pacific, with Kansas City Southern. The two railway companies came together April 14, 2023, to become CPKC, the first single-line railway network connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico.
“We are extremely proud to partner with CPKC in this new chapter of the railway’s storied, iconic history,” said CPKC Women’s Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “CPKC remains a major supporter of women’s golf globally and we look forward to introducing the new CPKC Women’s Open brand across the tournament.”
“This event, the lone Canadian stop on the LPGA Tour, showcases CPKC’s continued commitment to our world-class championship that raises significant amounts of money for children’s heart health in a host communities across Canada,” Paul added.
The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open will be played August 22-27, 2023, at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver, B.C.
In nine years of title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $13.5 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in the event’s host communities. The 2023 charitable beneficiary of the CPKC Women’s Open will be the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation in Vancouver, B.C.
Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary to host 2024 CPKC Women’s Open
Golf Canada
2024 marks first time the historic club will play host to the stars of the LPGA Tour; 50th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship returns to Alberta for the 7th time and first since 2016
Through Canadian Pacific’s community investment program, CP Has Heart, the event will once again be making a significant contribution to pediatric cardiac care in the host community
(February 28, 2023) – The stars of the LPGA Tour are headed back to Calgary as Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) have announced that the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open will be contested at the historic Earl Grey Golf Club from July 22-28, 2024.
The 2024 CPKC Women’s Open will mark the 7th time that the province of Alberta has hosted Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship and first since 2016. The 2024 event will be the 50th playing of Canada’s National Open Championship and the first time that Earl Grey will challenge the stars of the LPGA Tour.
“Together, with our partners at Canadian Pacific and the LPGA Tour, we are very excited to bring the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open to the world-class city of Calgary and the prestigious Earl Grey Golf Club,” said CPKC Women’s Open Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Calgary and the province of Alberta is home to a tremendously passionate golf community, and we are excited to see the LPGA Tour’s best challenge one of Canada’s premier golf courses.”
Through its CP Has Heart campaign, CP will once again be making a significant charitable contribution to the host community. In its nine years of title sponsorship from 2014-2022, the campaign has raised more than $16 million for children’s cardiac care in the tournament’s host communities.
“On behalf of the Canadian Pacific team and our more than 2,000-strong Calgary-based employees, we are proud to be part of such a tremendous event and excited to bring the tournament back to Calgary, an integral city within our rail network and home to CP’s headquarters,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “We look forward to continuing CP’s significant charitable legacy in our home community through CP Has Heart.”
A host community beneficiary of the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open will be named by CP and Golf Canada at a later date.
Originally founded in 1919 as a five-hole layout and now on its current site overlooking the picturesque Glenmore Reservoir since 1932, Earl Grey is world-class championship facility located in the heart of Calgary. The club, which features an 18-hole championship course as well as a nine-hole Par 3, has hosted numerous major provincial, national and international competitions including the Alberta Men’s Open, the Alberta Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, the Alberta Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships, The Alberta Junior Boys Championship, and the Alberta Junior Girls Championship, in addition to the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, the Canadian Junior Girls Championship, and the former Peter Jackson Championship.
“We are excited to welcome the very best LPGA Tour players to Earl Grey Golf Club for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open,” said Marion Burnyeat, Earl Grey Club President. “Hosting this historic tournament gives us the opportunity to share our championship golf course to challenge the top players in the world. The local golf community will come together in 2024 for this world-class tournament supported by the volunteer spirit for which Calgary is known.”
The Tournament Partners of the LPGA awarded the CPKC Women’s Open with Tournament of the Year in 2022. Golf Canada and CP also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Sponsor Activation in 2019 and 2022 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
“Hosting this prestigious event is a tremendous opportunity to showcase to the world the outstanding local partners and experiences that make Calgary the Ultimate Host City,” says Cindy Ady, CEO of Tourism Calgary. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Golf Canada to secure the CPKC Women’s Open for the city and we are thrilled to welcome world’s best female golfers to Calgary in 2024.”
Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has traditionally featured one of the strongest fields on the LPGA Tour vying for a total purse of $2.35 million USD. The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is being held at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver from August 21-27, 2023.
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 to inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers. Brooke Henderson’s historic victory in 2018 was the first time a Canadian had won the National Open since golf legend Jocelyne Bourassa 45 years earlier.
Information about volunteer opportunities and corporate hospitality for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at the Earl Grey Golf Club will be available in the coming weeks.
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation chosen as charity partner of 2023 CPKC Women’s Open
Golf Canada
Calgary – February is Heart Month, and Canadian Pacific (CP) is proud to announce today that BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been chosen as the primary charity partner for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open, to be held Aug. 21-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver.
“The team at BC Children’s Hospital provides expert care, research and support for children with heart conditions, and CP is grateful to have another opportunity to contribute to the critical work they do,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “The 2023 CPWO marks the third time BC Children’s Hospital Foundation has been selected as the charity partner during CP’s title sponsorship of this exceptional LPGA Tour event, helping raise more than $4 million so far. We’re honored to continue building this legacy.”
This year’s goal is to raise more than $2.5 million for BC Children’s Hospital. Those funds will be dedicated to enhancing the physical spaces of the Heart Centre to create a comfortable and healing environment for patients and their families. Funds will also help to create improved workspaces for cross-functional collaboration amongst the dedicated and talented cardiac team at BC Children’s.
“Kids with heart conditions can be some of the sickest children in BC, and the Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital is there to provide care for every one of them,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “That’s why we’re so grateful to once again be the CP Has Heart charity of choice. CP’s support helps elevate the incredible care BC Children’s is able to provide to kids and their families across the province.”
In recognition of Heart Month, CP and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation are pleased to hold a month-long fundraising campaign with CP matching all donations up to a total of $300,000. Visit www.bcchf.ca to help make a difference for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation cardiology patients.
“Families of children with heart conditions put their trust in us,” said Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani, Head, Division of Cardiology. “In turn, we help to carry the burden of their child’s health with them. That’s the essence of what our team does at the Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, and CP has been a part of our team for many years. With CP’s steadfast support, we can continue to improve the healing environment for our patients and their families.”
The Tournament Partners of the LPGA awarded the CPKC Women’s Open with Tournament of the Year in 2022. Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Sponsor Activation in 2019 and 2022 as well as Best Community and Charity Engagement in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
“We are so proud to witness the incredible impact of CP Has Heart on the lives of countless youth in the host communities of the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada. “There is a real excitement among golf fans and event enthusiasts in the celebrated return of the CPKC Women’s Open to Vancouver, highlighted by world-class golf, a week-long festival experience and a meaningful legacy gift in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.”
CP has helped raise more than $16 million to support children’s heart health in Canada during the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open.
2023 CPKC Women’s Open tickets now available
Terry Lenyk
The 49th playing of Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship is set for August 22-August 27, 2023 in Vancouver
(Golf Canada) – Golf Canada, in partnership with title sponsor Canadian Pacific (CP), is pleased to announce tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open in Vancouver are now on sale.
The 2023 edition of the CP Women’s Open will be held at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club August 22-27, marking the sixth time the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CPKC Women’s Open title.
The 2022 CPKC Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club was recently named Tournament of the Year by the Tournament Partners of the LPGA. The tournament, which set an attendance record of more than 73k fans, also received Awards for Best Community and Charity Engagement, as well as Best Sponsor Activation.
As the only Canadian stop across 33 official LPGA Tour events, the week-long event will draw the world’s best players including 10-time LPGA Tour winner and CP Ambassador Brooke Henderson.
Title-sponsor Canadian Pacific will once again be making a charitable donation to the host community through its CP Has Heart campaign. Since CP assumed title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open in 2014, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada. This is the third time in the last four years the awards were handed out that the CPKC Women’s Open was awarded the Gold Driver for Best Community and Charity Engagement.
The week-long national championship features something for everyone including The Rink, Golf Canada’s signature Canadian themed hole that has grown in popularity at both national opens, a premium food experience at the Recipe Unlimited Fare Way, as well as partner activations, photo-ops, terrific golf and more.
First conducted in 1973, Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship has enabled the brightest stars of the LPGA Tour to shine on Canadian soil and has inspired the nation’s next generation of female golfers.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for the 2023 CPKC Women’s Open
Join us to witness world-class LPGA Tour golf, activities for all ages, outstanding food and patio experiences and more. Get your tickets today and be a part of one of Golf Canada’s signature events.
2022 CPKC Women’s Open named LPGA Tournament of the Year at season ending award ceremony
Golf Canada
NAPLES, FLA. (Golf Canada) – The 2022 CPKC Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club has been named Tournament of the Year by the Tournament Partners of the LPGA.
Tournament organizers from Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific were presented with a prestigious Gold Driver Award during a ceremony held in conjunction with this week’s LPGA Tour season-ending CME Group Tour Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla.
Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific also received Gold Driver Awards for Best Community and Charity Engagement, as well as Best Sponsor Activation.
The Tournament Partners of the LPGA (formally Tournament Owners Association) have a long-standing tradition of recognizing best-in-class tournaments with Gold Driver Awards as part of the season-ending event.
“This award is a true reflection of the hard work and collaboration from all groups and stakeholders involved with the CPKC Women’s Open,” said Tournament Director Ryan Paul. “Thanks to tremendous support from fans, players, volunteers, corporate partners and our host club, the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open was a resounding success and it is rewarding to be recognized with these significant awards.”
The Best Community and Charity Engagement Award was earned for the CP Has Heart community investment program, which raised $2.5 million in support of the CHEO Foundation and $510,000 for Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation – the largest charitable campaign in the history of the CPKC Women’s Open.
Since CP assumed title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open in 2014, more than $16 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada. This is the third time in the last four years the awards were handed out that the CPKC Women’s Open was awarded the Gold Driver for Best Community and Charity Engagement.
The CPKC Women’s Open earned Best Sponsor Activation for its Hilton on the Green experience – a first-of-its-kind opportunity for Canadian golf fans to stay in a unique, 1-bedroom pop-up hotel room on the 8th hole at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
Hilton on the Green included a personal concierge, golf cart, gourmet meals including breakfast in bed, exclusive view of the action, as well as world-class service and hospitality from Hilton.
At the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open in August, South African Paula Reto set the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club course record (62) en route to besting the LPGA Tour’s best players to capture her first career win on Tour. By doing so, she took home US$352,500 of the US$2.35 million purse.
The 2022 CPKC Women’s Open in Ottawa was the most attended tournament in event history.
The stars of the LPGA Tour are headed back to Vancouver as next year’s CPKC Women’s Open will be contested at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club August 21-27, 2023.
The championship will mark the sixth time the province of British Columbia has hosted Canada’s Women’s Open Championship, with the last time being 2015 at The Vancouver Golf Club, where Lydia Ko won her third CPKC Women’s Open title.
Reto makes history in the winner’s circle at CPKC Women’s Open
OTTAWA, CANADA - AUGUST 28: Paula Reto of South Africa celebrates with the championship trophy following the final round of the CP Women's Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on August 28, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Golf Canada
OTTAWA, Ont. – Paula Reto first etched her name into the CPKC Women’s Open record book on Thursday and on Sunday, she wrote history again.
After setting the course record (62) in Thursday’s opening round at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, Reto became the first-ever South African woman to win the CPKC Women’s Open. The 32-year-old’s victory is also her first-career win on the LPGA Tour.
“I’m really, really excited, and just proud of myself for being able to stick through the shots and the routines. Sometimes I find that’s really hard to do, especially if you know you have only a few holes left,” said Reto. “I’m excited to celebrate with everybody, and I’m glad my first win was here in Canada for sure.”
With the win, Reto takes home the $352,500 USD winner’s prize.
The former Olympian kickstarted her round with a birdie on No.1 and followed with another on No. 3 to grab a share of the lead. Additional birdies on hole Nos. 6, 8 and 9 propelled Reto into sole possession of the lead, which grew as large as four strokes on the back nine. A late charge from world No. 3, Nelly Korda, made matters interesting down the stretch, but a par on her final hole vaulted Reto into the winner’s circle in the Nation’s Capital with a final score of 19-under-par.
Reto, 32, is the eighth Rolex First-Time winner of the 2022 LPGA Tour season and fourth consecutive first-time winner, following Ayaka Furue, winner of the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open; fellow South African, Ashleigh Buhai, champion of the AIG Women’s Open; and Maja Stark, victor of the ISPS Handa World Invitational.
The Purdue University product joins Sally Little, Buhai and Lee-Anne Pace as the only South-African-born winners on the LPGA Tour.
“Being able to win on the LPGA is such a dream, and even being from South Africa — and I did win in South Africa earlier in February, so I was like, Okay, I can do it again,” said Reto. “Ash (Buhai) was such an inspiration, especially being the AIG Women’s Open and she was so calm and so great on those playoff holes. I told myself, you know what? I can also do it. I also want to do it.”
After a birdie on No. 1, Korda scrambled through the early phase of Sunday’s final round but rediscovered her rhythm with a birdie on No. 9. She continued to chip away at the lead with another birdie on No. 11 and an eagle from the fairway on No. 12. The 24-year-old needed a birdie on 18 to force a playoff but ran out of steam, making par and setting the stage for Reto in front of a raucous Ottawa crowd.
Alena Sharp was awarded the Sandra Post Award as the low Canadian at the CPKC Women’s Open. The Hamilton, Ont., finished T17 at 10-under-par to edge Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. for the national honour. Szeryk, who made her first LPGA Tour cut of the season, posted a T26 finish after an even-par 71 on home soil. Szeryk was 9-under-par for the tournament, remarkably making only three bogeys all week.
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, Anna Davis, was awarded the Marlene Streit Award as the low amateur in the field at 4-under-par. Davis, 16, and Team Canada member Lauren Zaretsky were the only amateurs to make the cut at the CPKC Women’s Open. Zaretsky ended the competition at 1-over-par.
Though Brooke Henderson was out of contention on Sunday, the Canadian crowds still showed up to watch the 12-time LPGA Tour winner and two-time major champion. The Smith Falls, Ont., native says the support didn’t go unnoticed.
“It was so amazing. The fans this week were totally incredible. I never dreamed that this many people would continue to follow me all weekend, especially when I was so far down early in the pack,” said Henderson. “But they’re loyal to me and just meant the world to me to have them out here supporting.”
The 2023 CPKC Women’s Open is scheduled to take place August 21-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C.
Children and Paula Reto big winners at CPKC Women’s Open
Golf Canada
Record attendance and incredible performances during the CPKC Women’s Open helped Canadian Pacific (CP) raise $2.5 million to support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation and $510,000 for Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation.
Paula Reto finished the week at 19 under par to take home her first LPGA Tour win and the $352,500 winner’s share of the $2.35 USD million purse, one of the largest for a non-major on the LPGA Tour.
“The CPKC Women’s Open returned to Ottawa with great fanfare and the best golfers in the world so that CP could raise funds to support CHEO’s important work and continue the legacy of giving to the communities where our employees live and work,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “The Ottawa community and the world’s best golfers did not disappoint, and we are proud to be a part of this world-class tournament.”
“We congratulate Paula Reto on her masterful play to win the CPKC Women’s Open,” added Creel. “It was a tremendous week of golf, but more importantly, together we have made a significant contribution to CHEO Foundation and to eastern Ontario, a key province in our network. CP is proud to continue to make a difference in communities across Canada through CP Has Heart, our community investment program supporting heart health initiatives.”
The total donation is the result of several fundraising efforts of the CP Has Heart campaign. Through CP Birdies for Heart, CP contributed for each birdie made by Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club members prior to the tournament and for each birdie made by LPGA players on the 15th hole during tournament play. CP also matched all donations made during a CHEO campaign online during February, which is heart month.
“This eagerly anticipated week was beyond anything we imagined,” said Steve Read, Acting President and CEO, CHEO Foundation. “When Golf Canada and the LPGA brought this world-class golf tournament to the historic Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club it was an exciting moment for everyone involved. When the generosity of this community, led by CP, turned enthusiasm and elite sport into care for young cardiology patients at CHEO, it became an inspiring reflection of what we can do when we work together. My special thanks to Lorie Kane and Brooke Henderson who showed such kindness to CHEO patient Aurora Amos as she represented all CHEO cardiology patients this week.”
Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation was the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open community partner.
“The Foundation would like to thank CP for their support, which helped raise $510,000 for cardiac care at our hospital,” said Kristine Fair, PSFDH Foundation Chair. “Overwhelming community support paired with the matching initiative that CP provided has created double the impact for our hospital. Funds raised through this partnership will allow us to purchase essential cardiac equipment that our healthcare team needs to provide the quality care our community deserves.”
“CP’s continued commitment to leave a meaningful legacy in the name of the CPKC Women’s Open has been extraordinary,” said Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum. “We are so proud to experience the special impact of CP on the lives of countless Canadians, and we are thrilled that the CHEO Foundation, the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation, and the eastern Ontario community at large will benefit from their incredible generosity.”
“Lorie has made outstanding contributions to women’s golf and the community, including as a CP Ambassador,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “We cherish Lorie for her contributions as a CP Ambassador since 2014, and I look forward to her continuing as a significant member of the CP team promoting CP Has Heart in the community.”
What an amazing way to end tournament week at @OttawaHuntClub.
Kudos to our good friends and title sponsor @CanadianPacific for leaving a lasting legacy in Ottawa with their donation to @CHEO & the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital. pic.twitter.com/fs9UCUZvAY
An, Choi tied for lead ahead of final round of CPKC Women’s Open
Golf Canada
The final group on Sunday at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club will feature a pair of South Koreans in Narin An and Hye-Jin Choi, who hold a share of the lead at the CPKC Women’s Open heading into the closing stages of the championship.
An, who started the day alone atop the leaderboard, carded a 3-under-par 68 to keep pace with her countrywoman, Choi, during Saturday’s third round in the Nation’s Capital. The LPGA Tour rookie’s bogey-free streak came to an end after 48 holes of tournament play, but not before An rolled in four birdies to move to 16-under-par after round three.
“In general, I didn’t like my play today as much as I did yesterday and two days ago. But I think not making any big mistakes is a positive to take away,” said An. “I’ve known her since the KLPGA days and we didn’t talk that much with play going on, but it was fun being with her,” added An on her relationship with Choi.
Choi made up two strokes on her fellow South Korean, with a 5-under-par 66. The 23-year-old, still in search of her first victory on Tour, opened her round with a bogey but was mistake-free the rest of the way, making six birdies to earn a share of the lead.
Choi’s ties to Canada date back to 2016 when she won the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. On Sunday, she’ll look to become the fourth to ever win both the Canadian Women’s Amateur and the CPKC Women’s Open. Jocelyn Bourassa, Ariya Jutanugarn and Brooke Henderson are the only players to complete the feat. Choi was also crowned World Junior Girls champion in 2015 at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont.
“I have good memories here and after that (winning the Junior), I won the Canadian Amateur Championship, so I have a lot of good memories in Canada. Right now, it’s hard to think about winning, but I hope it’ll be a good experience,” Choi said.
London, Ont.’s, Maddie Szeryk, posted a 2-under-par 69 and sits T11 after moving day at the CPKC Women’s Open. The Team Canada member’s poise was once again on display in high-pressure situations on Saturday, but she barely faltered. Szeryk converted three birdie putts in round three, including a closing birdie on No. 18, and sits seven strokes back of An and Choi.
“You know, it’s the Canadian Open. It’s a major for us. All the friends and family are here, and just to play well in front of the Canadian crowd is really special,” said Szeryk.
Brooke Henderson navigated through a challenging third round at her home club, finishing at 2-over-par on the day and T60 with the final round ahead of her. A 2-under-par front nine had the home crowd eager for more, but mistakes on holes 12, 13 and 15 cost the Smith Falls, Ont. native down the stretch.
Nelly Korda continued to hang around near the top of leaderboard with a 3-under-par 68. The world No. 3 is seeking a second consecutive victory after last week’s win in Spain on the Ladies European Tour but will need to make up at least two strokes on the leaders to do so.
Sunday’s final round is scheduled to tee off at 8:08 a.m.
PAIRINGS AND START TIMES FOR ROUND THREE OF THE CP WOMEN’S OPEN:
Click here for a link to pairings and start times for the final round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Sunday, August 28.
CP HAS HEART CHARITY CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT THE CHEO FOUNDATION:
Canadian Pacific and Golf Canada are proud to support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2022 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 15 at Ottawa Hunt with $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CP is also proud to support a community beneficiary in the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation in support paediatric cardiac care. In the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $13 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.
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Lorie Kane leaves sterling legacy in wake of final CPKC Women’s Open
Golf Canada
OTTAWA, Ont. – When Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Lorie Kane walked up the 18th green to a soundtrack of adoring applause, it would mark her last stroll as a competitor at the CPKC Women’s Open. The 57-year-old P.E.I. native competed in her record 30th and final appearances in Canada’s National Championship with a legacy worthy of the title: ‘Icon’.
A soggy morning at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club resulted in a two-hour delay for Friday’s second round. The skies would clear after the restart with sunshine lighting her final walk up to the 18th green. Anyone who’s known Kane during her illustrious career would attest, the changing weather reflects her character – in life, as in golf, Lorie Kane always brings the sunshine.
“As I said early in the week, I love what I do and I love to share what I do,” mentioned Kane. “I hope I can continue to do that in some way, shape, or form. You know, I’ve had some loss. I shared my dad passed. We lost Jocelyne (Bourassa). We lost Kyle, one of our CP ambassadors from Magna. And so, I just played golf. To put smiles on people’s faces.”
Since turning professional in 1996, Kane has recorded four career victories on the LPGA Tour, 99 Top-10 finishes, and sits 46th on the Career Money List with nearly $7 million in earnings. She has won on the Legends of the LPGA five times, is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and received the Order of Canada – the highest civilian honour – in 2006. As a CP ambassador, Kane has also supported CP’s charitable platform that has helped to raise more than $13M in support of children’s cardiac care in the host markets of the CPKC Women’s Open.
On Wednesday, Golf Canada President Liz Hoffman also announced that the newly created Community Spirit Awards would be renamed The Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards in honour of Kane’s longstanding commitment to advancing the sport, charitable activities and giving back to the game that defined her remarkable career.
The skies may have been clear as Kane closed out her CPKC Women’s Open career, but not an eye remained dry in the house. Of all the accolades, a humble Kane points to a personal philosophy, instilled by her late father and inscribed as a tribute on a new club headcover – ‘Leave everything better than you found it.’
Canadian golf is better having known Lorie Kane.
NARIN AN LEADS AFTER PLAY SUSPENDS DUE TO DARKNESS
South Korea’s Narin An recorded a bogey-free round today firing 13-under par 65 to edge the partial-round lead by two strokes. Playing in her rookie season, the 26-year-old has a career-best finish, solo third, at the JTBC Classic presented by Barbasol.
“I think it’ll be fun,” said An, about playing this weekend. “It’s been a while since I’ve played as a leader, so I think it’ll be fun, and I hope to put up another good round.”
Hye-Jin Choi of South Korea, opening-round leader Paula Reto, and American star Nelly Korda sit tied for second at 11-under following play.
Maddie Szeryk, a member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad sits as the low Canadian after play was suspended, with a bogey-free 3-under 68 Friday and score of 7-under (T13) overall. The 26-year-old from London, Ont. secured her LPGA Tour card in 2021 and is playing in her rookie season.
Canadian star and local favourite Brooke Henderson used a second-round 3-under 68 to sit t32 through 36 holes.
Friday’s round featured an ace from French golfer Pauline Roussin (T29) on the 8th hole with an 8-iron.
With the second round suspended at 7:49 p.m., 36 golfers will resume their round at 7:15 a.m. with round three expected to commence at approximately 10 a.m. off the 1st and 10th tee.
CP HAS HEART CHARITY CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT THE CHEO FOUNDATION:
Canadian Pacific and Golf Canada are proud to support the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation as the primary charitable beneficiary for the 2022 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. Among the charitable engagements tournament week will be the Birdies for Heart hole on no. 15 at Ottawa Hunt with $5,000 donation made for every birdie made on the hole during the four rounds of the competition. In addition, CP is also proud to support a community beneficiary in the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation in support paediatric cardiac care. In the nine years of CP’s title sponsorship of the CPKC Women’s Open, more than $13 million has been raised to support children’s heart health in Canada.
