Miyu Yamashita extended her commanding lead, while Canadian young talent Aphrodite Deng made significant strides up the rankings on Saturday at the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton. Yamashita from Japan delivered an impressive 5-under-par 65 in the third round, bringing her total score to 19 under for the tournament at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.
With a six-shot advantage going into Sunday, Yamashita aimed for her fourth LPGA victory and second win of the season, bouncing back from a single bogey on the 17th hole with a final birdie on the 18th. Expressing her fondness for the course, Yamashita credited her strong putting performance for her success.
Setting a new tournament record with a 54-hole score of 191, Yamashita equaled the tournament record for the largest 54-hole lead. Gina Kim of the U.S. and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida trailed behind Yamashita at 13 under after posting impressive rounds of 6-under 64 and 66, respectively, on Saturday.
16-year-old Deng, hailing from Calgary, made a notable impact by shooting the lowest round of the day with a stellar 63, elevating her to 10 under and a tied sixth position. Deng, who was the top amateur in last year’s tournament, emphasized her focus on learning and minimizing errors throughout her rounds.
In a tournament first, four Canadian female golfers aged 18 and under, including Anna Huang from Vancouver, Michelle Xing from Richmond Hill, Ont., and Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., made the cut and continued their play into the weekend. Huang, Xing, and Lin showcased their skills with solid performances, with Huang at 7 under, Xing at 1 under, and Lin at 2 over.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., recovered from a shaky start to finish at 7 under after shooting a second consecutive 68. Despite trailing Yamashita by 12 strokes, Henderson remained optimistic about her performance and aimed for a strong finish in the tournament.
As the competition heats up, Sunday’s final round is expected to see a high of 26 degrees Celsius with potential smoke from forest fires before thunderstorms later in the day. The event has drawn significant support from fans, particularly for rising stars like Deng, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for women’s golf in Canada.
