Reto makes history in the winner’s circle at CP Women’s Open
Alena Sharp wins Sandra Post Award as the low Canadian at the CP Women’s Open
Anna Davis secures Marlene Streit Award as low amateur
OTTAWA, Ont. – Paula Reto first etched her name into the CP 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 CP 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 CP 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 CP 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 CP Women’s Open is scheduled to take place August 21-27, 2023, at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, B.C.
Click here for the full leaderful.
An, Choi tied for lead ahead of final round of CP Women’s Open
Maddie Szeryk sits as low Canadian through 54 holes at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club
OTTAWA, Ont. 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 heading into the final round of the CP Women’s Open.
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 holds strong ties to Canada, having won the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. On Sunday, she’ll look to become the fourth player to ever win both the Canadian Women’s Amateur and the CP 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 World 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 CP Women’s Open. The Team Canada member’s poise was on display 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.
Local favourite Brooke Henderson navigated through a challenging third round, 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 missteps on holes 12, 13 and 15 cost the Smith Falls, Ont. native down the stretch.
Nelly Korda continued to hang around 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. with threesomes off the 1st and 10th tee. The final group tees off at 10:20 a.m.
Full leaderboard here.
Lorie Kane leaves sterling legacy in wake of final CP Women’s Open
Play suspended due to darkness and will resume tomorrow morning at approximately 7:15 a.m.
South Korea’s Narin An fires 6-under 65 to climb atop the leaderboard
Maddie Szeryk sits as low Canadian through partial second round at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club
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 CP Women’s Open. The 57-year-old P.E.I. native competed in her record 30th and final appearance 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 CP 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 CP 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.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
Paula Reto fires course-record 62 to take opening-round lead of the CP Women’s Open
Alena Sharp and Maddie Szeryk card matching 67s as low Canadians though opening round of play at Ottawa Hunt & Country Club
OTTAWA, Ont. – One thousand ninety-three days: that’s how long it’s been since the CP Women’s Open was last played in 2019. Following an Opening Ceremony on the first tee at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Cub, Canada’s National Open Championship saw its long-awaited and jubilant return.
Paula Reto fired a course-record, 9-under 62 to take a two-shot lead into Friday’s second round. Reto’s round of 62 bettered the previous Ottawa Hunt course record of 63 shot by Brooke Henderson at the 2017 CP Women’s Open. The Cape Town, South Africa native carded nine birdies and currently sits 74th in the Race to CME Globe Standings.
“You know, usually when I make two, three birdies I feel like it’s going to be a good day whether I either make a few more or not. Usually under par is always good,” said Reto. “But to go low is always fun. And to have no bogeys. I saved two really good par saves, which was nice. So that kind of kept the momentum going for a low round.”
Narin An of South Korea sits alone in second at 7-under 64, with Americans Robynn Ree, Lilia Vu, and Emma Talley sharing third position at 6-under.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont. and Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont. carded the low Canadian rounds of the day at 4-under 67 (T16).
“Felt pretty amazing,” said Sharp, who is playing in her 17th CP Women’s Open. “Struggled with my putting last year all year, and came out and changed my grip, changed putter. I’m aiming it better, and I made a lot of putts today. Some of those putts that I would’ve been scared to putt last year, they just — I stood up and was very assertive and made a good stroke. Nice to see them go in.”
Szeryk, a member of Team Canada’s Young Pro Squad, is playing in her fifth CP Women’s Open.
“I think I’ve just grown a lot and learned more about myself and my game since then,” said Szeryk on the last time she played Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club as an amateur. “Played professional a couple years, and it’s just been really awesome. Just to see some of those great results — I felt like I’ve been really close, and just to see the results is pretty cool.”
Thursday’s opening round featured a pair of aces at Ottawa Hunt with Lauren Zaretsky of Thornhill, Ont. (T30) jarring a 7-iron from 155 yards on the fifth hole while American Emma Talley (T3) used 6-iron on the 172-yard 13th hole.
Click here for the full leaderboard.
August 23, 2022
|
18 Canadians in the field as round one looms at CP Women’s Open
OTTAWA, Ont. – Jin Young Ko will begin her title defence on Thursday, as the stars of the LPGA get set to tee it up in the opening round of the 2022 CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club.
Ko’s attempt at defending her title comes after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 13-time LPGA Tour winner is scheduled to tee off tomorrow at 1:15 p.m.
A hometown favourite, Brooke Henderson of nearby Smiths Falls, Ont. looks to relive the magic of her own 2018 victory at the CP Women’s Open. During her Championship Pro-Am round, crowds gathered to cheer on the 24-year-old and expect to grow in size and volume as Henderson seeks her 13th career LPGA Tour win.
Eighteen Canadian will join Ko and Henderson in the opening round Thursday, including 12-year-old Lucy Lin of Vancouver as well as Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, P.E.I. who will make her 30th and final start at the CP Women’s Open.
Pairings and start times for the opening two rounds of Canada’s National Open Championship are available online here.
“LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT” – LORIE KANE PAYS HOMAGE TO LATE FATHER AHEAD OF FINAL CP WOMEN’S OPEN
Canadian golf icon Lorie Kane announced in May that the 2022 CP Women’s Open would mark her final appearance at Canada’s National Women’s Championship. Today, ahead of her record 30th tournament appearance, Kane shared a special nod to her father who passed away in July.
August 22, 2022
Championship Pro-Am tee times set for 2022 CP Women’s Open
News and notes from Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club for Tuesday, August 23 Round 1 & 2 Pairings and Start Times Now Available
(Ottawa, Ont.) – With the opening-round of the $2.35 million (US) CP Women’s Open less than two days away, tournament week at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club continues to showcase the finest in women’s professional golf.
Wednesday, August 24th is Championship Pro-Am Day at the CP Women’s Open. The event will see professional golfers take to the course to entertain a field of amateurs as part of the LPGA Tour’s ‘Nine and Nine’ Pro-Am format, where amateur participants will play nine holes each with a pair of LPGA Tour professionals. Click here for pairings and start times for Wednesday’s Championship Pro-Am.
BROOKE HENDERSON FEELING AT HOME AT OTTAWA HUNT Canadian sensation and hometown favourite Brooke Henderson told media Tuesday that she feels great heading into Thursday’s opening round, and is ecstatic to play in front of so many family and friends at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club where she is an honorary member. “I’m so looking forward to this week. Every year it’s circled on my calendar, and I always get super pumped up for it, especially as the weeks grow closer to it,” said Henderson. Having the last one in 2019, it’s just been so long since I was able to play in front of the hometown crowd.
Even in the practice rounds yesterday and today there has been so many people out watching. It’s just amazing to have this much love and support from home. I feel like I’m super excited to tee it up on Thursday and hopefully get off to a fast start. Click here for a full transcript of Brooke Henderson’s media availability session. Henderson, a two-time winner in 2022 including her second career major and a 12-time winner on the LPGA Tour, returns to the national capital as Canada’s winningest professional golfer of all time. The 24-year-old from nearby Smiths Falls, Ont. is one of 18 Canadians to play in this year’s CP Women’s Open, including Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, PEI – making her record-setting 30th and final appearance in the National Open Championship.