Mao Saigo shoots record low 61; Haeran Ryu leads at Candian Open

CALGARY, Alberta — Mao Saigo emerged from the wildfire-fueled smoke haze at Earl Grey Golf Club on Saturday with the slowest round in CPKC Women’s Open history. Five hours later, Haeran Ryu and Lauren Coughlin were far removed from the rest of the field.

Saigo took advantage of calmer conditions after two windy days to shoot an 11-under 61, jumping from a tie for 46th to a tie for third, five strokes behind Ryu and four behind Coughlin on the tree-lined course with thick rough and small greens.

“I’m very proud of myself because that was probably the best round since I started playing golf,” Saigo said through an interpreter. “There wasn’t much wind, so I tried to make birdies on par 5s and keep my strengths with my iron shots.”

The 22-year-old Japanese player, a rookie on the LPGA Tour after six wins on the JLPGA, hit an eagle from 133 yards with a pitching wedge on the par-4 10th hole.

“I felt the energy of the fans and that helped me to play well,” Saigo said.

She broke the tournament record of 62, set by Song Hee-Kim in 2009 at nearby Priddis Greens and equaled by Mo Martin in 2018 at Wascana in Regina, Saskatchewan, and by Paula Reto and Lindy Duncan in 2022 at Ottawa Hunt.

“I never set a target score and I always try to hit the best shot,” Saigo said. “So today I kept the same attitude, and that counts in today’s score.”

Ryu shot a 64 for 13-under 203, making a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-4 14th hole.

The 23-year-old South Korean player birdied the first four holes and five of the first six. She added a birdie on the 10th, bogeyed the par-4 12th and recovered with a birdie on the 13th.

“She (Saigo) is having a crazy day,” Ryu said. “But I started five holes and 5 under, so I’m crazy too, I guess. It’s funny today.”

Ryu was second at the Dana Open last week in Ohio and won last year’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship for her first LPGA Tour title.

“Last year is just last year. Last week is just last week,” Ryu said. “I’m just thinking about now and the future.”

Coughlin, the leader after each of the first two rounds, shot 66. The 31-year-old former University of Virginia player, who has yet to win a single title on the LPGA Tour, finished fourth in France at the major Evian Champions two weeks ago.

“She definitely stuck with it,” Coughlin said. “She (Ryu) did everything she could to get started, so I just tried to stay in my own bubble and not get too involved in what she was doing.”

Rose Zhang shot 66 to join Saigo at 8 under. Jennifer Kupcho was at 7 under after an aa 68, and second-placed Lilia Vu (69) and Hannah Green (71) were at 6 under.

“I felt like today was an easier day because there was less wind and some people moved to the tees,” Vu said. “But I didn’t hit the ball well.”

Three-time champion Lydia Ko was 3 under par after a 72. She won as an amateur in 2012 at age 15, successfully defended her title as an amateur in 2013 and won as a professional in 2015.

Canadian star Brooke Henderson, the 2018 winner, was tied for 18th at 2 under after a round of 69. On Friday, she bogeyed the last four holes in a round of 73.

“This is still a tough course,” Henderson said. “Even though the wind had died down, you still have to find your way and there are better misses than other misses.”