Canadian Pacific Women’s Open
Vancouver Golf Club
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada
Second Round Notes
August 21, 2015
Candie Kung shot a bogey-free 64 to jump into the 36-hole lead at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
“I’ve been working pretty hard lately,” Kung admitted. “I guess it was a slump that I had back 2010, 2011, I just got caught up in life a little bit. Now I feel like I can get back into it again, play some golf, have some fun.”
Kung started her day in style with birdies on 10 and 11, her first two holes of the day, and then added a tap-in eagle at the par-5 13th to take her score to 7-under for the tournament. Eight pars followed before Kung closed strong with birdies on four of her last six holes to post the low round of the tournament.
“I just went out there, played one shot at a time, and I knew that I was putting pretty good,” Kung said. “I missed a few out there from about ten feet. I was hitting them pretty close all day. And then made some key putts coming in.”
The four-time LPGA Tour winner is coming off of her best finish of the year with a tie for second at the Cambia Portland Classic last week.
“I’ve been playing well,” Kung said of her recent strong play. “Just the putter has to go and so far, it’s been going pretty good the last six tournament days.”
Chasing Kung will be first round leader Karine Icher and 2012 and 2013 CP Women’s Open Champion Lydia Ko who each sit two shots back at 9-under par.
“I really don’t care who is behind me,” Kung said confidently. “I’m just going to go out there, play my one shot at a time. I’m hitting it good, I’m putting it good, and let’s see what happens.”
76 players made the cut at 1-over par 145. Notables to miss the cut included - Paula Creamer, Michelle WIe and Karrie Webb.
BIRDIES FOR HEART RAISES $80,000 ON DAY TWO OF CP WOMEN'S OPEN
One of the unique parts of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is the Birdies for Heart initiative. On Friday, 16 birdies were made on the par-4 17th raising $80,000 for the pediatric cardiology research program at BC Children’s Hospital. Through the first two rounds of the tournament Birdies for Heart has raised $145,000.
After a successful 2014, CP has once again committed to donating $5,000 for every birdie made on the 17th hole at Vancouver Golf Club during CP Women’s Open LPGA tournament play and $2,500 for each birdie made during the pro-am on Wednesday. In 2014, Birdies for Heart raised more than $320,000 for charity during tournament week.
KO AND ICHER REMAIN IN THE HUNT
For most of the day at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open it appeared that Karine Icher and Lydia Ko would be sharing the 36-hole lead entering the weekend but Candie Kung’s late charge put the duo into a tie for second place two behind.
“We’ve still got two more days and there are a lot of girls up there,” Ko admitted. “Especially five, six shots in two days, anything can happen. So I have to really concentrate on my game. I played with Karine last week and she played well when I played alongside her. So obviously her game is in great condition.”
Icher and Ko share a bit of history at the CP Women’s Open as in 2013 when Ko won the second of her back-to-back titles Icher finished second and took home the first place check because Ko was still an amateur.
“Now she’s pro, so I think if she wants, she takes the check,” Icher joked. “She is not going to give it to me.”
ACE SPARKS SOLID ROUND FOR XI YU LIN
Xi Yu Lin sits three back of the lead after shooting a 6-under, 66, during the second round of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.
“Yeah, it’s very solid round today, because last week, my long game wasn’t really good. And today, well, even when I was in the driving range, I was hitting the ball like everywhere. So I was just telling myself, just be patient today, and I’m so glad. I almost holed every birdie chance I could have.”
Lin’s round was highlighted the 6-iron she hit for an ace at the 151-yard 7th.
“It’s my first hole-in-one in a tournament,” Lin said with a smile. “I had one in practice round before, but it was only me, like nobody really see it. So this time, lots of people saw it.”
Unfortunately for Lin she wasn’t one of them.
“I hit it pretty solid. And then I never think about it will go in. So I just pick the tee up, and when I turnaround, I saw my caddie, big smiling face, telling me the ball is in the hole,” Lin explained. “So I’m like, oh; I was kind of shocked because it’s my first one. Still pretty excited.”
SHARP LOW CANADIAN AFTER TWO ROUNDS
Through the first two rounds of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Alena Sharp sits as the low Canadian at 1-under-par.
“I feel great,” Sharp said. “I haven’t made the cut at the Canadian Open I think since 2009, so it’s been a long time. I played well the last two days. Left some shots out there, but I have lots to look forward to on the weekend. I’m not too far back. I’ve got to do something tomorrow, moving day. So we’ll see.”
Like all of her fellow countrywomen, Sharp has been feeling the love this week in Vancouver.
“If you look around, there’s so many people here. The crowds are amazing and it’s always like that at the Canadian Open and everybody is always cheering for you,” Sharp explained. “It’s that little extra pressure you put in your mind because you want to play well for the hometown crowd. Being a Canadian, being here, is just an amazing feeling. Doesn’t matter that I’m from Ontario. The people here, they make me feel at home.”
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