Miyu Yamashita extended her significant lead, while Canadian teenager Aphrodite Deng made a strong move up the rankings on Saturday at the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton. Yamashita, representing Japan, delivered an impressive 5-under-par 65 in the third round, bringing her total to 19 under for the tournament at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton. She held a commanding six-stroke lead going into the final day of the $2.75 million US event, aiming for her fourth LPGA victory and second win of the season.
The 25-year-old bounced back from a bogey on the 17th hole with a birdie on the 18th, finishing the day with six birdies in total. Expressing her satisfaction with the course, Yamashita credited her strong putting performance for her success. Her 54-hole score of 191 set a new tournament record, with her six-shot lead matching the record for the largest 54-hole lead in the tournament’s history.
In pursuit of Yamashita, Gina Kim from the U.S. shot a 6-under 64, while Japan’s Yuri Yoshida carded a 66 to reach 13 under. Notably, 16-year-old Aphrodite Deng from Calgary, who impressed as the low amateur in last year’s tournament, delivered the lowest round of the day with a remarkable 63, placing her at 10 under and tied for sixth.
Deng was one of four Canadian women aged 18 and under who made the cut in the CPKC Women’s Open, marking a first for the tournament. Vancouver’s Anna Huang, along with fellow amateurs Michelle Xing from Richmond Hill, Ont., and Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., continued their strong performances into the weekend. Huang, 17, recorded an even par of 70 to reach 7 under, while Xing, 18, posted a 71 to finish at 1 under. Lin, 16, carded a 72, ending the day at 2 over par.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., recovered from early struggles to finish at 7 under, trailing Yamashita by 12 strokes. Henderson expressed her disappointment with her putting performance but remained optimistic about her chances in the final round. The weather forecast for Sunday’s conclusion predicts a temperature of 26°C with some forest fire smoke before possible thunderstorms in the late afternoon.