Yamashita’s Scorching 62 Takes Early CPKC Lead
Japanese Star Miyu Yamashita Grabs Early Lead at CPKC Women’s Open
What Happened on Day One?
The CPKC Women’s Open—Canada’s national women’s golf championship—kicked off on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the beautiful Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alberta. The course, designed by famous architect Stanley Thompson, sits in a scenic bend of the North Saskatchewan River near downtown.
The big story: Japan’s Miyu Yamashita shot an amazing 8-under-par 62 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round. In golf, lower scores are better, and "under par" means she played the course in fewer strokes than the standard score.
Important Point: In golf, par is the expected number of strokes to complete a hole or round. "8-under" means Yamashita took 8 fewer strokes than par—that’s exceptional!
Meet the Leaders
Here’s how the top of the leaderboard looks after Round 1:
| Position | Player | Country | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Miyu Yamashita | Japan | 62 (–8) | Won Meijer LPGA Classic in June; major champion last year |
| 2nd | Nasa Hataoka | Japan | 63 (–7) | Fellow Japanese star; bogeyed the last hole |
| 3rd | Kiara Romero | USA | 64 (–6) | LPGA rookie; earned tour card through Elite Amateur Pathway |
| T4th | Anna Huang | Canada | 65 (–5) | 17-year-old from Vancouver; 4 wins on Ladies European Tour |
| T4th | Michelle Xing | Canada | 65 (–5) | 18-year-old amateur from Richmond Hill, Ontario; heading to UCLA |
| T4th | Ruoning Yi | China | 65 (–5) | Major champion |
Canadian Hopefuls Shine Bright
Two Canadian teenagers stole the spotlight on home soil:
Anna Huang (Age 17)
- From Vancouver, British Columbia
- Already has 4 professional wins on the Ladies European Tour (2 last year, 2 this season)
- Said she feels "a lot more confident" than in previous years at this event
Michelle Xing (Age 18)
- From Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Amateur status (not a pro yet)
- Starting her freshman year at UCLA this fall
- Focused on keeping things simple: "Just trying to get the speed with certain putts"
Important Point: An amateur golfer competes for the love of the game and doesn’t accept prize money. Xing is playing against pros while still an amateur—that’s impressive!
Big Names in the Mix
Several golf superstars are right behind the leaders:
| Player | Country | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelly Korda | USA | 67 (–3) | World #1 ranked player |
| Brooke Henderson | Canada | 67 (–3) | Canadian superstar; won this tournament in 2018 and 2025 |
| Jennifer Kupcho | USA | 66 (–4) | Top of the group at 66 |
| Lydia Ko | New Zealand | 70 (E) | Won here in 2013 as an amateur; now a major champion |
Henderson’s take: "The scores are very low out here today. Just trying to go out tomorrow and make a bunch of birdies and try to catch them."
Course Challenges: Bugs and Birdies
While the scoring was low (lots of birdies—one stroke better than par), players faced an unexpected opponent: mosquitoes!
- The tree-lined course near the river had "abundant mosquitoes"
- Yamashita: "There’s so many bugs on the course."
- Hataoka: "No wind today and so many mosquitoes."
Even world-class golfers have to deal with nature sometimes!
Important Point: Birdie = 1 stroke under par on a hole. Bogey = 1 stroke over par. Eagle = 2 under par. Pros make lots of birdies; we cheer for them!
How the Tournament Works: A Quick Guide
If you’re new to golf tournaments, here’s the basic structure:
- Four Rounds — Usually played Thursday through Sunday
- Cut Line — After Round 2 (Friday), only top players continue
- Lowest Total Wins — Add up all 4 rounds; lowest score wins
- Playoff if Tied — Sudden-death extra holes if needed after 72 holes
We’re just at Round 1—three more days to go!
Summary
- Miyu Yamashita (Japan) leads at 8-under 62 after Day 1 of the CPKC Women’s Open
- Nasa Hataoka (Japan) is one back at 7-under
- Kiara Romero (USA) sits third at 6-under in her LPGA debut
- Two Canadian teens—Anna Huang (17) and Michelle Xing (18)—are tied 4th at 5-under
- Nelly Korda (#1) and Brooke Henderson (2-time champ) are at 3-under
- Mosquitoes were the day’s unexpected challenge at Royal Mayfair
- Three more rounds remain—anything can happen!
FAQ
What does "8-under 62" mean?
A: The course par is 70. Yamashita shot 62—8 strokes better than par. In golf, lower is better.
What is the LPGA Tour?
A: The Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour is the top professional golf circuit for women worldwide. Think of it like the PGA Tour, but for women.
Who is Miyu Yamashita?
A: A Japanese superstar who won the Meijer LPGA Classic in June 2026, plus the Women’s British Open and Maybank Championship in 2025. She’s a major champion!
Why is Michelle Xing listed as "amateur"?
A: She hasn’t turned pro yet—she’s heading to UCLA for college golf. Amateurs can play in pro events but don’t accept prize money.
When does the tournament end?
A: The final round is Sunday, August 23, 2026. The winner will be crowned after 72 holes (4 rounds).