ZCZC
BSP-09
GOLF-LPGA-CAN
Yang leads Canadian Women’s Open, Henderson in hunt
REGINA, Canada, Aug 25, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Amy Yang, who is looking for her
first win in 18 months, fired a seven-under 65 to seize a one-stroke lead at
the halfway stage of the Canadian Women’s Open on Friday.
Yang rolled in nine birdies to reach 13-under 131, giving the South Korean
a slim lead over Angel Yin and Canadian Brooke Henderson at the Wascana
Country Club course in Regina, Saskatchewan.
“My putting was really good today. I was hitting it pretty solid out there,
but I gave myself a lot of good chances, and I think I made most of them out
there,” said Yang, who needed just 26 putts.
Yang has four top-five finishes in 2018.
Henderson, 20, is the crowd favorite and is having one of her best starts
ever at the national championships. She fired her second straight 66 after
beginning her round on a high note by chipping in for birdie.
Yin got to watch Yang up close on Friday. They played together and took
advantage of morning tee off times before the winds picked up.
Yin, of the US, followed her seven-under-par 65 Thursday with a five-under-
par 67 Friday to sit at 12-under with Henderson. Yin is looking for her
first-ever LPGA Tour title.
Defending champion Park Sung-hyun is tied for fourth with three others
after shooting an eight-under 64.
Park made seven birdies and an eagle in what developed into her second
lowest round of the season.
“Today everything felt really good from tee to putting,” said Park. “Even
though my putting wasn’t great yesterday, it was better than I anticipated.
I’m pretty satisfied with my round.”
Saskatchewan-native Bobbi Brandon finished in last place after shooting a
18-over 90 on Friday. But she said just competing this week was a win for
her.
This was just Brandon’s second appearance in the national championship
following her debut two decades ago when she also missed the cut.
The 40-year-old Brandon, who finished with a 29-over 173 total, was given
an exemption to get into the tournament.
“When I was 20 I was very nervous and shy,” Brandon told the Regina Leader-
Post newspaper. “It’s different to kind of just enjoy it and not be a little
frightened by the surroundings.”
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1245 hrs