Ariya Jutanugarn fired a final round 66 to cruise to a four-shot victory at the CP Women’s Open. The victory is the fifth of the season for Jutanugarn, which leads the Tour in 2016.
“I think today, like before today I felt like I wanted to have fun and be happy on the course,” Jutanugarn said. “No matter what’s going to happen, I can handle it.”
Jutanugarn started her day with a birdie and didn’t look back carding six additional birdies against a lone bogey to finish the tournament at 23-under, tying the tournament record for score in relation to par set by So Yeon Ryu two years ago.
“Especially this week, I mean, because I just come back from like injury, like my knee hurt, and I feel like I really want to be happy on the course. I really want to have fun with my caddie on the course. That’s the only key I want to be.”
Jutanugarn almost didn’t make the trip to Calgary as she was forced to withdraw from the Rio Olympics due to a knee injury last week.
“Actually after I withdraw, I feel like I’m going to withdraw this week because my knee hurt so bad last week, but when I got here on Monday and Tuesday, it’s getting a lot better, and first round of the tournament it’s fine.”
With the win, Jutanugarn has now won in five of her last 10 starts (five of the last 12 LPGA Tour events overall).
“After I won my first tournament, after that, I feel like I reached my goal, and after that I feel like I don’t care like what my ranking going to be,” Jutanugarn explained. “I don’t care if I’m going to win the tournament or not. The only thing I want to be is I really want to be happy on the course. That’s the only key I want to be right now.”
Sei Young Kim finished second at 19-under while In Gee Chun was third at 18-under. Alena Sharp took home the Sandra Post Award for low Canadian with a career best finish of fourth, while Jaclyn Lee earned the Marlene Streit Award for low amateur.
CP HAS HEART
CP Birdies for Heart has returned for 2016. This week at Priddis, CP will donate $5,000 for every birdie made by a player on the 18th hole during tournament play. Through the final round of play, CP Birdies for Heart has raised $540,000 thanks to 108 birdies.
The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation is the official charity beneficiary of the 2016 CP Women’s Open. All funds raised through the tournament will support pediatric cardiac care and research at the Hospital.
TWO ACES ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Ayako Uehara recorded a hole-in-one for the second consecutive round. After acing the par-3, 11th with a 31-degree hybrid from 158 yards yesterday, Uehara jarred her 7-iron from 164 yards on the 8th today.
With the two aces, Ayako tied the record for most holes-in-one in a single tournament. Below are the other record holders.
Most holes-in-one, tournament:
- 2, Jo Ann Washam, Mesa Verde Country Club, 1979 Women’s Kemper Open, second round, 16th hole, 5-iron, 165 yards; fourth round, 7th hole, 3-iron, 168 yards
- 2, Jenny Lidback, Weston Hills Country Club, 1997 Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions, third round, 17th hole, 5-iron, 147 yards; fourth round, 11th hole, 6-iron, 146 yards
- 2, Laura Diaz, Aviara Golf Culb, 2014 Kia Classic, third round, third hole, 50-degree, 94 yards; fourth round, sixth hole, 6-iron, 157 yards
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“Yeah, you know, it was really cool. Walking up 18 and seeing all the fans and the whole crowd that I’ve had the entire week following me around was amazing. The applause at the end was something I’ll definitely remember, and being able to finish off my week with a birdie on 18 was really cool, getting some money donated to CP for Heart, and it’s been a really good week.” -Brooke Henderson on the week at the CP Women’s Open
“I think I was a little far away going into today. I needed to maybe shoot 18-under by the looks of where the other girls are playing. But no, it’s been a great week. I played solid all week, and there’s a lot of positives to take from this week. I’m happy with it, and especially when I’m defending and I’m still able to have a top-10 finish. I think it was a great week, and I really appreciate all the support from the crowds here.” -Lydia Ko on her round