(Ottawa) Narin An, a rookie on the LPGA Tour, has yet to win in North America, but she’s positioned herself to do so at the Canadian Women’s Open.
Posted at 11:11 p.m.
The South Korean turned in a 65, six-under par on Friday, and her aggregate score of 129, 13 under par, gives her a two-stroke lead going into the weekend rounds.
Darkness forced the interruption of the second round.
“I didn’t taste victory in the United States, but I did in Korea. So right now it’s not an unusual feeling, An said of her lead. I hope to experience good results in the next couple of days like I did yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday). »
Prior to this season, An had spent most of his career on the LPGA Tour in Korea. She believes that her experience on this circuit will translate well to the North American continent.
“I don’t think there’s a big difference between Canada, the United States and Korea,” she said. There are different environments here, so I need more time to adjust to each one. »
Her compatriot Hye-Jin Choi scored 63 to join South African Paula Reto (69) in the lead after the first round and American Nelly Korda (64) tied in the second. rank with cumulative records of 131.
Lizette Salas of the United States shot 64 and sits alone in fifth, three shots off the lead.
Play was halted for two hours due to a thunderstorm around the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. The delays suffered by the golfers who started in the afternoon will ensure that the second round will be completed on Saturday morning.
Szeryk, top Canadian
Ontario’s Maddie Szeryk (68) finished her round just before darkness fell on the course. She had her second consecutive bogey-free day to find herself tied for 13e rank with a record of 135, seven under par. She is the top Canadian after two rounds.
“I don’t think I’ve done this before,” Szeryk remarked of his two bogey-free rounds. “I just played very solid. I hit the greens often and my putts were okay. »
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., completed her round in 68 strokes for a total of 137. The bell rang to suspend play due to weather just as her ball fell into the cup for a birdie at its second hole.
“I made my shot and was surprised because I heard the sound, so it was good to see the ball go in,” Henderson said. My brother-in-law used to call me Michael Jordan for that kind of siren-beating shot. »
Ontario’s NAFTA Sharp (72) and amateur Lauren Zaretsky (71) also managed to qualify for the weekend rounds. They were tied for 57e place with records of 139 when play was stopped.
Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto had completed 15 holes when the siren sounded and was four under par. She will resume her second round early Saturday morning and will try to earn her place in view of the weekend rounds.
Quebecer Sarah-Eve Rhéaume shot 69 and finished the day one shot away from qualifying. His compatriots Maude-Aimée Leblanc (71) and Brigitte Thibault (76) were unable to qualify for the weekend rounds.
After 13 holes, Maskoutaine Valérie Tanguay is three strokes over par and six strokes over overall.
12-year-old Canadian golfer Lucy Lin turned in a 73, ending her first professional tournament.
Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane played her 30e and final round at the Canadian Women’s Open. The Canadian Golf Hall of Famer was unable to qualify for the weekend rounds.