Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and Nasa Hataoka made eight birdies apiece, but Yamashita’s round of 8-under-par 62 was one better than her countrywoman’s, and she took a one-stroke lead after the first round on Thursday at the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton, Alberta, Can.
Hataoka got to 8-under with her second consecutive birdie at the par-4 8th hole (her 17th), but bogeyed No. 9 to finish at 7-under at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club.
Kiara Romero carded a 6-under round of 64 for solo third place, while four golfers, including two teenage Canadians, were at 5-under.
Japan’s Yuri Yoshida and China’s Ruoning Yin were part of that foursome, along with Canadians Anna Huang and Michelle Xing. Huang is 17, and Xing, 18, is an amateur.
Eighty of 156 players finished at even-par or better, including World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who shot a 3-under 67.
Yamashita, ranked No. 7 in the world, also started on the back nine and birdied four of her first six holes. She shot matching 31s on each side and needed only 25 putts on the day.
“So it’s been a while since I finished the first round in good position, so I was able to make some putts as well,” said Yamashita. “So I’m pretty happy with how I played.”
Yamashita won her third LPGA title at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and seems refreshed now that the grind of the majors has ended.
“So I took two weeks off in Japan and I got really good feelings right now, so I want to keep like good rhythm for tomorrow,” she said.
The course gave up a lot of birdies, but was also plagued by swarms of bugs and mosquitoes. Hataoka hit 16 of 18 greens and had a good putting day, finishing with 27.
“Yeah, I hit so many fairways so that’s why I able to make so many birdie chances, and my putting feels really good so I’m happy with this result,” said Hataoka. “No wind today and so many mosquitoes, and — but fairway was not firm and green’s really good shape so I could make so many birdie chances today.”
Xing, who won the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur title, is headed for UCLA in a matter of days. She hails from Richmond Hill, Ontario.
“It means so much. I’m super grateful to be playing this tournament,” said Xing. “I got in pretty late so just to be here, I’m already very happy. And then to see all the support, it makes me like feel so warm.”
