A collection of superstars is in Ottawa, Canada, for the CP Women’s Open at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club this week on the LPGA, and one of the biggest names in the sport has made her return to competition.
Danielle Kang hasn’t played since the U.S. Women’s Open in June due to a tumor on her spine, but rust wasn’t an issue Thursday as the 29-year-old got around the par-71, 6,700-yard track without making a bogey. Four birdies in her first 10 holes and eight straight pars to end her round were good enough for a 4-under 67.
“I feel pretty solid. I’m really happy that I posted scores in the 60s. That’s something (that) has been a goal of mine for a few months now,” Dang said after her round.
“Yeah, feels really good to be back.”
She’ll enter the second round five behind Paula Reto, who made nine birdies and no bogeys for a blemish-free 9-under 62, a course record. The South African has missed the cut in three of her last four starts on the LPGA and has never won on the U.S. circuit.
CP Women’s Open: Leaderboard
Nelly Korda is just a few days removed from winning an Aramco Team Series event in Spain, and her good form made the trip back over the pond with her.
Like Kang, the youngest Korda sister fired a 4-under 67 and amongst all the Canadian hockey fans wasn’t afraid to sport a Chicago Blackhawks jersey.
.@NellyKorda representing the @NHLBlackhawks on the 17th hole at the @cpwomensopen.
pic.twitter.com/B6bT4S0xkV
— LPGA (@LPGA) August 25, 2022
Defending champion Jin Young Ko, who won the event the last time it was played in 2019, shot a 3-under 68.
Ottawa native Brooke Henderson, who has two wins in her last five starts including the Evian Championship, made five birdies and three bogeys on her way to a 2-under 69.