Brooke Henderson shoots even to open CPKC Women’s Open, while Coughlin claims early lead

Lauren Coughlin credited caddie Terry McNamara with serving to preserve her head within the recreation.

The American shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to take a seat atop the leaderboard after the opening spherical of the 2024 CPKC Canadian Ladies’s Open.

“I used to be simply tremendous affected person,” mentioned Coughlin, who began this nation’s nationwide championship with eight straight pars. “[McNamara] simply mentioned to me, ‘It is enjoying powerful, they’re going to come.’

Coughlin went on to birdie 5 of 9 holes on the entrance aspect of Earl Gray Golf Membership’s difficult par-72, 6,856-yard course. She then drained a five-foot par putt on No. 10 to take the clubhouse lead by one stroke over Australian Minjee Lee.

“My chip went slightly bit by (the outlet), additional than I’d’ve favored,” Coughlin mentioned. “It was an excellent putt. I have been actually stable on that distance all 12 months.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., additionally credited her caddie — older sister Brittany — with serving to her bounce again to shoot an even-par 70 after opening with a bogey on the par 4, eleventh gap.

“When the circumstances are powerful, when it is windy, when it is cooler, when issues are totally different than the way in which you practised main in, you really want a very good caddie that you may depend upon and actually belief in these conditions,” Henderson mentioned. “Nice to have Brit there as all the time.

“I really feel like we’ll shoot slightly decrease [Friday].”

Henderson completed the primary spherical tied twenty second spot in a gaggle that features Monet Chun of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Ellie Szeryk of London, Ont.

“Probably not the recent begin I wished to get off to however felt like we fought fairly onerous,” Henderson mentioned. “We had been in some powerful spots on some holes, so it was good to battle it out, get even par.

“It might be good to get a pair birdies early [Friday] and actually climb up.”

American Jennifer Kupcho, Australian Hannah Inexperienced and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn — who had been all among the many afternoon wave — equalled Lee’s 3-under 69 to tug right into a tie for second.

Jutanugarn received the event’s 2016 when it was performed at close by Priddis Golf and Nation Membership.

“That second is rather like all the time in my greatest reminiscence as a result of that 12 months I received 5 tournaments,” Jutanugarn mentioned. “I simply love Canada and need to come again each time.”

Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Savannah Grewel of Mississauga, Ont., each shot 69 to complete as the highest Canadians at 1 below in a tie for twelfth with eight different golfers.

Novice Katie Cranston of Oakville, Ont., began her spherical with an eagle on the par 5, 550-yard first gap. She went on to complete at 1-over 71.

“Actually thrilling,” mentioned Cranston, who hit driver off the tee on No. 1 and adopted up with a 4 iron to inside three ft of the pin. “Two actually good pictures — only a optimistic begin to the day.”

Though her group — which included Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. — did not entice the group that Henderson often will get, Cranston did obtain a smattering of applause after her eagle.

“It is nice to listen to,” mentioned Cranston, including she undoubtedly heard the assist from her mom, Suzanne Tennier. “She’s all the time yelling.”

After ending her first 9 holes at 3-under and being among the many leaders, Cranston struggled the remainder of the way in which with 5 bogeys and a birdie.

“Slightly disenchanted,” she mentioned. “The final two holes, I got here in with two bogeys, but it surely’s fairly onerous on the market, so everybody’s going to make some bogeys.”

Cranston completed the day in a tie for thirty ninth place with a big contingent that features Toronto’s Vanessa Borovilos and Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.

Vancouver’s Anna Huang was one shot again of her fellow Canadians in a tie for 62nd spot at 2 over.

The highest-65 golfers and ties will make the minimize after Friday’s second spherical to play on the weekend.