VANCOUVER — Yuka Saso scorched the course with a six-under-par 66 as erstwhile teammate Bianca Pagdanganan stayed within sight entering Friday’s second round of the CPKC Women’s Open.
The Philippine-born Japanese, who won for the country the Asian Games golds in singles and team events with Pagdanganan, birdied six of her first seven holes on her back nine.
Yuka, a major champ before deciding to play for her father’s home country, shot down two birdies against bogeys on the 10th and 18th for a one-shot lead over Sweden’s Linn Grant.
Pagdanganan is five strokes behind in a tie for 13th. She birdied Hole Nos. 4, 6, 11 and 16, but double bogeyed No. 8 and bogeyed No. 2 at the Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.
Dottie Ardina, the only other Filipina in the LPGA Tour meet, struggled with a 77.
Meantime, Canadian star and two-time major champ Brooke Henderson struggled while playing in glasses for the first time on the LPGA Tour.
Even par at the turn at tree-lined — and mosquito-infested — course, Saso birdied Nos. 1-4 and 6-7, playing her second nine in 6-under 30. The 22-year-old Japanese player won the 2021 US Women’s Open for her lone LPGA Tour title.
“I don’t know what happened the back nine,” Saso said.
“I started hitting some good second shots and having short putts for birdies, giving myself a lot of chances.”
Henderson, the 2018 winner at Wascana in Regina, Saskatchewan, opened with a 75. Playing in the afternoon, she had four bogeys and a birdie.
“I just wasn’t sharp today,” Henderson said.
“Hopefully, just go out tomorrow morning early, get off to a quick start, make more birdies.”
