Alena Sharp finishes 4th and earns Sandra Post Medal as low Canadian professional
Calgarian Jaclyn Lee earns Marlene Streit Medal as low amateur
News and notes from Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club for Sunday, August 28
CALGARY – Ariya Jutanugarn shot a bogey-free, 8-under 64 to jump into the 36-hole lead at the CPKC Women’s Open.
CALGARY – Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 6-under 66 on Sunday to capture the CPKC Women’s Open by four strokes – an LPGA Tour-leading fifth victory of the year. The Bangkok native finished the championship at 23-under-par to tie the tournament low set by South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu in 2014.
The 20-year-old collected seven birdies, including four across a bogey-free back nine on Sunday, and counted a single bogey on the day. In total, she only tallied four bogeys during the entire 72-hole competition.
Despite a dominant performance, the champion focused more so on her mindset than her play on the course.
“Because I just came back from injury – like, my knee hurt – I feel like I really wanted to be happy on the course,” said the world’s No. 2 ranked golfer. “I really wanted to have fun with my caddie on the course.”
Jutanugarn claimed three consecutives victories in May, beginning at the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic, before capturing her first major championship at the 2016 RICOH Women’s British Open in July.
After representing Thailand at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she had to withdraw with a knee injury, her return to the LPGA garnered a second straight win on Tour. She has battled through injuries and low points over the past three years, but credits a change within herself for her recent stretch of improved play.
“Before, I was thinking about making the cut, I wanted to win, I wanted to finish Top-10…everything was getting worse. It was never getting better. I just changed my focus to be honest with myself. I just really want to be happy on the course. That’s all I need.”
South Korea’s Sei Young Kim fired a 65 to finish second at 19-under, while compatriot In Gee Chun carded a 69 to place third at 18-under.
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp carried her strong play into the final round, shooting a 67 to finish the event fourth at 16-under. Her best career finish to date earned her the Sandra Post Medal as the low Canadian professional at Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship.
“I can’t really describe how great it feels to play this well in Canada, because I have not played well at the Canadian Open in recent years,” reflected Sharp, who missed the cut in 2009 – the last time the Canadian Women’s Open was in Calgary. “To be here in front of the hometown crowd – it’s amazing. There’s no better feeling to have.”
World No. 3 Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., matched 69s to finish with shares of 14th at 11-under. The finish marks the first time three Canadians have ever finished within the Top-15 in the championship’s history.
World No. 1 and three-time winner Lydia Ko also had a 69 in her final round to finish tied for seventh.
Buoyed by the unwavering support of her home province, Jaclyn Lee of Calgary finished at 2-under 286 to claim the Marlene Streit Medal as the championship’s low amateur. The Golf Canada National Amateur Team member gained a wealth of experience and memorable moments in her first LPGA Tour event.
“I think I’ll remember making my first LPGA cut – being the low amateur,” said the 19-year-old when asked what she will remember from the experience. “And honestly, I’ve said it so many times, but the fans are seriously amazing. Really, that’s something that I did’t think I expected – to have so much support.”
To coincide with the Canada 150 celebrations, next year’s CPKC Women’s Open will return to the nation’s capital and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club from August 21 to 27, 2017. CP will announce its charity partner at a later date.
CANADIAN SCORES
The following are final Canadian scores for the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open.
Alena Sharp 68-70-67-67–272 (-16)
Brooke Henderson 72-68-68-69–277 (-11)
Maude-Aimée LeBlanc 69-6970-69–277 (-11)
Jaclyn Lee * 69-70-73-74–286 (-2)
Anne-Catherine Tanguay 70-73-74-69–286 (-2)
— MISSED CUT —
Jessica Wallace – 70-74–144 (E)
Rebecca Lee Bentham – 70-74–144 (E)
Brittany Marchand – 73-71–144 (E)
Maddie Szeryk * – 73-72–145 (+1)
Samantha Richdale – 75-72–147 (+3)
Naomi Ko * – 74-73–147 (+3)
Lorie Kane – 73-74–147 (+3)
Sara Maude Juneau – 71-76–147 (+3)
Jennifer Ha – 72-77–149 (+5)
Jennifer Kirby – 73-77–150 (+6)
Brigitte Thibault * – 87-82–169 (+25)
* Denotes Amateur
PLAYER INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS, AUDIO FILES AND VIDEO
Interview transcripts, audio MP3 files, as well as downloadable royalty-free images and broadcast quality videos for all media interviews and scrums will be available online here.
2016 MEDIA GUIDE
Media can download the 2016 CPKC Women’s Open Media Guide for complete statistics, records and historical information.
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 and inspire the nation’s next generation of female golfers.
ABOUT THE 2016 CP WOMEN’S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CPKC Women’s Open from August 22-28, 2016 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Priddis, Alta. The CPKC Women’s Open, Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship, is proudly sponsored by Canadian Pacific, RBC, WestJet, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, AutoCanada, Corby Distilleries Ltd., Delta Calgary South, Artisan Wines, Coca-Cola, Tourism Calgary, Telus and CVS Controls Ltd. For information on volunteer opportunities, tickets or corporate hospitality, visit www.CPwomensopen.com, or call 1-866-571-5742.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Pino
Director, Corporate Communications
Golf Canada
(p) 416-434-5525
(e) dpino@golfcanada.ca
Martin Cej
Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications
Canadian Pacific
(p) 403-319-7298
(e) martin_cej@cpr.ca