Mao Saigo made a significant impact at the CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club, setting a new record with the lowest round in tournament history. Saigo’s exceptional performance of 11-under 61 propelled her up the leaderboard to a tie for third place, trailing behind Haeran Ryu and Lauren Coughlin by five and four strokes, respectively. Saigo, a 22-year-old Japanese golfer and LPGA Tour rookie, showcased her skills by holing out from 133 yards for an eagle on the par-4 10th hole.
Saigo expressed her pride in her performance, stating it was one of her best rounds since she started playing golf. The favorable weather conditions aided her strategy of focusing on making birdies on par 5s and capitalizing on her strength with iron shots. Notably, Saigo’s round surpassed the tournament record set in previous years.
Haeran Ryu, the leader in the tournament, shot a 64 to reach 13-under 203, fueled by a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-4 14th hole. Ryu’s solid start with four consecutive birdies set the tone for her impressive round. On the other hand, Lauren Coughlin, the initial leader after the first two rounds, shot a 66 and remains in contention for her first LPGA Tour victory.
Several other players made moves on the leaderboard, including Rose Zhang, Jennifer Kupcho, Lilia Vu, and Hannah Green. Despite the challenging course conditions, top-ranked players like Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson faced the tough competition and navigated the course skillfully.
As the tournament progresses, the competition heats up among the talented field of golfers vying for the CPKC Women’s Open title. Each player’s performance reflects their dedication and skill on the course, promising an exciting conclusion to the event.
