Miyu Yamashita extended her lead at the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton, while Canadian teenager Aphrodite Deng surged up the rankings on Saturday. Yamashita, representing Japan, shot a remarkable 5-under-par 65 in the third round, bringing her total score to 19 under par at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton.
Heading into the final day of the $2.75-million US event, Yamashita held a commanding six-stroke lead, aiming for her fourth LPGA victory and second of the season. The 25-year-old recovered from a lone bogey on the 17th hole by sinking a birdie on the 18th, expressing her confidence in her putting skills on the course.
Yamashita set a new tournament record with a 54-hole total of 191, matching the record for the largest lead after 54 holes. Following closely behind were Gina Kim from the U.S., carding a 6-under 64, and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida with a 66, both trailing Yamashita at 13 under.
In a standout performance, 16-year-old Calgary native Aphrodite Deng, last year’s low amateur in Mississauga, Ont., shot the lowest round of the day with a 63, reaching 10 under and tying for sixth place. Deng reflected on her round, emphasizing her focus on minimizing mistakes and learning from her earlier play.
Notably, four Canadian female golfers aged 18 and under made the cut for the first time in the CPKC Women’s Open, including Vancouver’s Anna Huang, Richmond Hill’s Michelle Xing, and Langley’s Clairey Lin. Defending champion Brooke Henderson, despite a few missed putts, maintained her solid play and expressed determination to finish strong in the tournament.
As the competition heats up, all eyes are on the final round with a weather forecast of 26C, potential forest fire smoke, and looming thunderstorms in the late afternoon. The event promises an exciting conclusion as the top contenders vie for the prestigious title.