OTTAWA (Ontario) — Paula Reto shot a course record 9-under 62 at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on Thursday to take a 2-stroke lead at the Canadian Pacific Womens Open.
Reto said that it was not something he was familiar with regarding the low score.
The 32-year-old South African was unsuccessful on the LPGA Tour. She opened with a 6-under 29 on back nine. She then added three birdies on front nine, the last one on the par-5 ninth. She birdied all four par-5s holes.
Reto said, Its a great putting day. A lot more putts were made, and that makes the round much easier. It was much easier to see my lines and see the speed. I was like, Just get to the green.
Reto beat Brooke Hendersons course mark of 63, which was set in round three of the 2017 tournament.
Reto stated, I didn’t know it was the course records, so its nice to find out after my round takes off the pressure. So, Im happy about that. I know Im looking forward to doing more good rounds with you.
South Korean Narin An was second, after a bogey free 64.
Robynn Hsu, Emma Talley and Lilia Vu all shot 65. Atthaya Thitikul was 66 when she was joined by Perrine Delacour and Peiyunchien, Wei-Ling Hsu.
Maddie Szeryk and Alena Sharp were the top Canadians at age 67. Nelly and Jessica Korda were also at 67, in a group that also included Jennifer Kupcho and Danielle Kang. Also, Cristie Kerr, 2006 winner, and 2016 champion Ariya Jutanugarn, were there.
Nelly Korda has just won her first Aramco Series win on the Ladies European Tour. Jessica was 7 shots behind, and Nelly rallied to win.
Nelly Korda commented, The greens are definitely very tricky. They are difficult to read, and its almost like reading a glass.
The top-ranked Jin Young Ko shot a 68 to win Magna outside Toronto in 2019.
Lauren Zaretsky, a Canadian amateur, had a hole in one on the par-3 fifth during her 68. The Texas Tech 18-year old is set to begin college Monday.
Zaretsky stated, My reaction was quite calm. Im surprised. Im surprised. I havent had any hole-in one since 2016. I actually joked before the tournament that maybe Ill get a hole in one on live TV.
Henderson, the 2018 Wascana winner in Regina, Saskatchewan, finished with a par-5 ninth for a score of 69. She hails from Smiths Falls in south Ottawa.
Henderson stated that its the thing about this course. When you hit it in the wrong spots, you really pay for it.
Lydia Ko, three-time tournament winner, also had a score of 69. She was playing alongside Henderson & Kupcho. Lexi Thompson shot a 70.