Sung Hyun Park emerged from the scorerB次元官网网址檚 tent after a masterful round of 64 at the CP WomenB次元官网网址檚 Open to a swarm of golf fans.
Few seemed to notice the defending champion and worldB次元官网网址檚 best womenB次元官网网址檚 golfer as she strolled undisturbed down the path, fresh from tying a course record at the Wascana Country Club.
This crowd had only one person on its mind. Canadian star Brooke Henderson is the star of this show, especially after a second straight 66 left her just one stroke behind clubhouse leader Amy Yang of South Korea.
B次元官网网址淏rooke is almost like CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Tiger Woods,B次元官网网址� said Park, who played with Henderson and SwedenB次元官网网址檚 Anna Nordqvist. B次元官网网址淚 was really surprised at how many fans came out to support Brooke today. To witness that was pretty awesome.B次元官网网址�
Dozens of fans B次元官网网址� many clad in red and white and waving small Canadian flags B次元官网网址� let out a roar when Henderson chipped in on her opening hole and they were just as vocal when she capped her round with another birdie.
The 20-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., was at 12-under-par 132 and right in the mix for what could be a very exciting weekend.
B次元官网网址淚 hit the ball in good spots and made birdie putts when I had them,B次元官网网址� Henderson said. B次元官网网址淚 feel like I made the most of todayB次元官网网址檚 round, which is always a great feeling.
B次元官网网址淭o be close to the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend is awesome, especially when youB次元官网网址檙e here in Canada.B次元官网网址�
Henderson has managed to score in different ways over the first two rounds. She took advantage of her impressive length on Thursday and had her short game working when the wind picked up Friday.
Yang shot a 65 to move into top spot at 13-under-par 131. American Angel Yin (67) joined Henderson in second place.
B次元官网网址淚 was hitting it pretty solid out there,B次元官网网址� Yang said. B次元官网网址淏ut I gave myself a lot of good chances and I think I made most of them out there.B次元官网网址�
Park, from South Korea, was three shots off the lead after her 64, a score that three players attained a day earlier. She was joined at 10 under by first-round co-leader Nasa Hataoka of Japan (70) and Maria Torres of Puerto Rico (66).
Starting on the par-4 10th hole, Henderson had four birdies over her first six holes before missing a three-foot putt on the 16th for a bogey.
She started to spray the ball a little bit after that miscue, but the six-time winner on the LPGA Tour had some luck on her side too.
Her drive sailed well right on the 18th hole, hitting a grandstand post on a bounce before settling in the rough. Henderson found the green with her next shot and two-putted for par.
Five pars followed after the turn before Henderson found a late groove. She hit a tricky four-foot downhill putt on the sixth hole and drained a 22-footer from the fringe for another birdie on the seventh.
B次元官网网址淒efinitely have a lot of confidence in (my putter) this week, which is always amazing when you can depend on that club,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut I think overall, everything is kind of going really well.B次元官网网址�
Henderson closed her round by going up-and-down from the side of the ninth green for birdie to the delight of the partisan gallery.
Americans Mariah Stackhouse (69) and Austin Ernst (69) were at 9-under-par 135, one shot ahead of Nordqvist (66) and several others.
It was hot and sunny again on the 6,675-yard course and the wind really started howling later in the day. First-round co-leaders Ariya Jutanugarn (70) of Thailand and ColombiaB次元官网网址檚 Mariajo Uribe (73) fell back on day two. Jutanugarn is 10-under while Uribe is 7-under.
A total of 16 Canadians entered the tournament but only three made the 36-hole cut.
Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City (71) and Alena Sharp of Hamilton (70) joined Henderson for weekend play at 3-under 141, one stroke better than the cut line.
Play continues through Sunday at the US$2.25-million event.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
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