ARIYA JUTANUGARN WINS CP WOMEN’S OPEN
| Golf Canada – – 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 – |
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CALGARY – Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn shot a 6-under 66 on Sunday to capture the CP 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 CP 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: Alena Sharp 68-70-67-67–272 (-16) — MISSED CUT — * Denotes Amateur RESULTS ALBERTA KIDS ARE BIG WINNERS AT CP WOMEN’S OPEN PLAYER INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS, AUDIO FILES AND VIDEO 2016 MEDIA GUIDE
ABOUT THE 2016 CP WOMEN’S OPEN The stars of the LPGA Tour will challenge for the CP Women’s Open from August 22-28, 2016 at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club in Priddis, Alta. The CP 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, Coca-Cola and CVS Controls Ltd. For information on volunteer opportunities, tickets or corporate hospitality, visit www.CPwomensopen.com, or call 1-866-571-5742. ABOUT CP HAS HEART ABOUT CANADIAN PACIFIC GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME. For more information: Dan Pino Martin Cej |