Thai 20-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn sealed a fifth LPGA Tour win of the year after a commanding victory at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
Advertisement
Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand drives the ball off the 6th tee box during the second round at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.
And what about the leaderboard at the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, the four-round showdown just west of Calgary that concludes with Sunday’s final spin?
And the centre of attention, Brooke Henderson, the top-ranked Canadian, also finished tied for 14th.
Outside of Jason Day, who leads the PGA Tour with three victories this season, the players with the most wins on the four biggest USA golf tours in 2016 are all somewhat of surprises.
“And honestly, I’ve said it so many times, but the fans are seriously incredible”. “It’s getting a lot better”.
Ariya carded 67 for a 17-under-par 199 total, with Chun (66) alone in second place on 15-under.
“I feel really happy with myself right now”, said Ariya, who squandered several excellent chances to win tournaments earlier in the year before managing to get across the finish line. After a late meltdown in the major ANA Inspiration in April, Jutanugarn picked up the nickname “May” with three straight victories in the breakthrough month.
She eagled the seventh hole, birdied 12 and bogeyed four and the rest were consistent pars. “I really wanted to have fun with my caddie on the course”.
Other notable names to make the cut include Suzann Pettersen and Amy Yang (T9, -7), Anna Nordqvist, Minjee Lee and Stacy Lewis (T20, -5), Haru Nomura (T36, -3), Morgan Pressel (T52, -2) and Michelle Wie (T63, -1). “Those really got my game going”.
Alena Sharp (70) and Maude-Aimee Leblanc (69) topped the Canadians at 6 under.
She really started to warm up after a quick break, mixing eight birds and 10 pars in a bogey-free and mostly stress-free second round. “You have no idea how much support you have until you’re really here and you hear it”. Two of her victories in Canada were as an amateur. The 19-year-old New Zealander is No. 1 in the world and has four LPGA Tour victories this season.
Her secret to success? “To come back here and miss the cut last time and then really dominate and kind of take a little bit back from the course that it took from me in 2009 and be here in front of the hometown crowd, it’s wonderful”.
Henderson sits in 29th after shooting a 4-under 68 in her second round Friday. “Through bad shots and good shots, they’re supporting me and giving me a little bit of extra energy and positive vibes”.
Advertisement
The latest title is much like the previous ones, captured easily because of a relaxed and calm mind-set that frees Jutanugarn up on the course. “I was not hitting it well the first nine holes, but I hung in there”.
