Canadian teenagers closed in on leader Miyu Yamashita of Japan following the first round of the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday. Yamashita posted a season-best score of 62 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, putting her one stroke ahead of Nasa Hataoka from Japan and two strokes ahead of Kiara Romero from the United States.

Anna Huang from Vancouver and Michelle Xing, an 18-year-old amateur from Richmond Hill, Ont., were tied for fourth place, three shots behind the leader at 5-under-par. Defending champion Brooke Henderson, aiming for her third victory in the tournament, finished 3 under par after sinking a birdie on the final hole.

Yamashita, who claimed victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan in June, expressed satisfaction with her performance, highlighting her strong putting. Fellow competitors, including Huang and Xing, were hopeful of making the cut for the first time in their careers after solid rounds.

The tournament’s first day saw players contending with cloudy skies and mosquito-infested conditions due to heavy rainfall in Edmonton. Both Huang and Xing shared their experiences of battling insect bites, emphasizing the importance of hitting fairways to avoid the rough.

Henderson showcased resilience by rebounding with birdies after making bogeys, finishing the day at 3 under par. Other notable performances included 16-year-old amateur Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., and veteran Maude-Aimee Leblanc from Sherbrooke, Que., who finished at 2 under par.

Several Canadian amateurs also participated in the tournament, with mixed results in their opening rounds. The competition remains fierce as players gear up for the upcoming rounds in the CPKC Women’s Open.