Miyu Yamashita extended her lead at the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton, while Canadian teenager Aphrodite Deng made significant progress on the leaderboard on Saturday. Yamashita, from Japan, delivered an impressive 5-under-par 65 in the third round, bringing her total score to 19 under at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton. With a commanding six-stroke lead going into Sunday, Yamashita aims to secure her fourth LPGA victory and second of the season.
The 25-year-old golfer recovered from a lone bogey on the 17th hole with a birdie on the 18th, expressing her fondness for the course and her strong putting performance. Her 191 total after 54 holes set a new tournament record, matching the record for the largest 54-hole lead. Following closely behind were Gina Kim of the U.S., who shot a 6-under 64, and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida with a 66, both at 13 under.
Sixteen-year-old Calgary native Aphrodite Deng, last year’s low amateur in Mississauga, showcased her talent by carding the lowest round of the day with a 63, elevating her to 10 under and tying for sixth place. Deng emphasized her focus on learning and minimizing mistakes throughout the tournament.
In a notable first for the CPKC Women’s Open, four Canadian female golfers aged 18 and under made the cut. Among them were Anna Huang from Vancouver, Michelle Xing from Richmond Hill, Ontario, and Clairey Lin from Langley, British Columbia. Defending champion Brooke Henderson, hailing from Smiths Falls, Ontario, made a strong comeback with consecutive 68s to sit at 7 under, trailing Yamashita by 12 strokes.
As the tournament progresses, Henderson remains optimistic about her performance and aims for a strong finish. The final round’s weather forecast includes a temperature of 26°C with potential forest fire smoke and impending thunderstorms in the late afternoon.
Deng, a Calgary native who moved to the U.S. at a young age, expressed gratitude for the support she received during her bogey-free round, with her caddie Benjamin Reed providing valuable assistance. Reed, a 19-year-old University of Florida student, has been by Deng’s side since her victory at the 2025 U.S. Girls Junior Championship. The young golfer’s composure under pressure was evident, particularly on the 18th hole, where she managed to salvage a par despite a challenging tee shot under a tree.
Overall, the CPKC Women’s Open continues to showcase both established and emerging talents in the world of women’s golf, promising an exciting final round filled with competitive play and potential surprises.
