LONDON, Ont. – The only all-Canadian group at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open got more than polite golf claps from the many fans who followed them throughout the first round.

“They clapped for everything,” Brooke Henderson said. “It was awesome. The support out there was amazing.”

Buoyed by that support, Jennifer Kirby had the best day of any Canadian with a 5-under 67, while Henderson and Rebecca Lee-Bentham each shot 2 under.

Inside the ropes, Kirby said playing with two friends made her feel “comfortable.” The Paris, Ont., native was able to play it safe and still hole five birdies.

“Bogey-free round, took advantage of the par 5s for the most part and hit it close on a few and didn’t really make any big mistakes,” Kirby said.

Kirby goes into Friday’s morning tee time four strokes behind leader So Yeon Ryu, who set a new course record at the London Hunt and Country Club with her 9-under 63.

Henderson, the 16-year-old amateur phenom, and Lee-Bentham aren’t far off the pace. There was plenty of pressure on Henderson going into the tournament, but she showed no signs of cracking Thursday.

“I hit the ball great all day,” the Smiths Falls, Ont., native said. “I hit a lot of greens and had a lot of opportunities for birdie. They didn’t fall today but hopefully over the next couple of days they’ll make up for it.”

Lee-Bentham, who’s from Toronto, said she “felt a lot of love” from the crowd all day.

“It’s more than usual, so it was more fun out there,” she said.

A few other Canadians were able to have fun without stressing about playing in front of home-country fans. Amateur Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont., and Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que., joined Henderson and Lee-Bentham at 2 under.

Tong, who’s going back to school at the University of Indiana next week, just qualified Monday and called being in the tournament a bonus.

“That beat my expectations,” Tong said of her first round. “I was just looking to shoot like around par, keep it together, because I definitely knew people were going to shoot like 64, 65 the whole day. Just keep myself in there because the main goal is to make the cut, if anything. I think I put myself in a good position there.”

Sue Kim from Langley, B.C., was the only other Canadian of the 15 in the tournament to be under par at 1 under.

Alena Sharp (Hamilton) and amateur Jennifer Ha (Calgary) shot an even-par 72; Lorie Kane (Charlottetown), Maude-Aimee LeBlanc (Sherbrooke, Que.) and Erica Rivard (Tecumseh, Ont.) shot 73; Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, B.C.) and Nicole Vandermade (Brantford, Ont.) shot 74 and Jessica Wallace (Langley) and Natalie Gleadall (Stratford, Ont.) shot 75.

LONDON, Ont. – At the age of 16, Brooke Henderson gets it.

The amateur from Smiths Falls, Ont., is well aware of the high expectations that come from finishing in the top 10 at a major tournament and emerging as the best young Canadian women’s golfers.

“I see the pressure and I hear it,” Henderson said. “I hear that I’m the face of Canadian golf, but I’m just trying to improve and trying to get better.”

Henderson doesn’t seem to be buying into the hype that she has created for herself. With Lorie Kane about to turn 50, she’s considered the future of the sport in Canada, even with Alena Sharp, Sue Kim, Jennifer Kirby and Rebecca Lee-Bentham already established on the LPGA Tour.

She goes into this week’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club with all that perspective to go with her experience. Henderson missed the cut the past two years in Edmonton and Vancouver and understands what it’s all about this time, playing about a seven-hour drive from where she grew up.

“Definitely there is pressure,” Henderson said. “But I’m excited to be able to play for my family and friends and show them what I can do. They’re out there cheering for me, and I know every shot they’re going to be happy either way.”

Henderson set her expectation at making the cut and then “hopefully climb up the leader board a little bit.” That’s a realistic goal two weeks after she finished second to Kristen Gillman at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

But this is a different animal for Henderson as the home-country girl who’s blossoming into a star. On her way from the putting green to the driving range on Wednesday, several fans stopped her for autographs, photos and or just to chat.

When she tees off just before 8:30 a.m. for Thursday’s first round, Henderson will get to focus in on just golf. Her caddy, longtime family friend Bunk Lee, will do his part to keep Henderson focused.

“I think Brooke is very good at relaxing herself,” Lee said. “She’s been exposed to this enough, and she takes care of most of it. I’m just there for reassurance and making sure I’m doing my job as the caddy and trying to provide the best environment for her to perform in and it all takes care of itself.”

Kane recalled being overwhelmed at times during her first appearances at the Canadian Women’s Open – then called the du Maurier Classic – worried that she couldn’t live up to external expectations.

The four-time champion on the LPGA Tour said she has no doubt Henderson is prepared for the atmosphere she’s about to face and the future she’s embarking on.

“Brooke, she’s hard-working, very dedicated to what she does,” Kane said in a phone interview last week. “Brooke’s career can be what Brooke wants it to be. The sky’s the limit. She’s got a great head on her shoulders, she’s a very level-headed kid.”

That came across Wednesday in her pre-tournament news conference during which she fielded a handful of questions about her place in history and the hefty weight on her young shoulders. In the short-term – the next few days – Henderson expects to feel more comfortable now that she has gotten to know more professional colleagues and what to expect.

In the long term, Henderson doesn’t consider herself standing alone as Canada’s only hope in women’s golf.

“Definitely I think the game in Canada is growing, and there are some young pros coming up like Sue Kim, and Jennifer Kirby and Rebecca Lee-Bentham that are great players and have full status on the tour this year,” she said. “Maybe they haven’t played as well as they would have liked, but I think the future is bright for them.”

It could be even brighter for Henderson if she continues down her developmental path. Golf Canada’s Brent McLaughlin said just like with men’s golfer Mike Weir, Canadian fans “need to rally around heroes” and considers Henderson one of those.

“We’re so proud of Brooke. … Any time you see young talents just excel, you’re proud of them,” McLaughlin said on a conference call last week. “(Fans) need to have a reason to watch. … It makes kids want to be like them. We need that in our sport. We’ve very fortunate, very lucky and very proud.”

Henderson is one of 15 Canadians in the field this week, along with pros Kane, Sharp, Lee-Bentham, Kirby, Kim, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Sara-Maude Juneau, Samantha Richdale, Nicole Vandermade, Natalie Gleadall, Erica Rivard, Jessica Wallace and fellow amateurs Jennifer Ha and Elizabeth Tong.

No Canadian woman has won this tournament since Jocelyne Bourassa captured the title at the inaugural edition in 1973. For 22 years from 1979 through 2000 it was a major, and it still carries that importance to Henderson.

“It used to be a major back in the day, and to me it still is one,” she said. “It’s very close to home. It’s our national championship.”

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, at 17 a two-time defending champion at Canada’s national championship, knows from experience that Henderson has had to repeatedly answer the question about when she’s turning pro. Henderson said Wednesday it’s still her plan to attend the University of Florida with the hope of having an LPGA Tour career in the future.

That means for now Henderson – a Team Canada member – is one of the faces of amateur women’s golf, something she has accepted.

“Of course there is a little bit of pressure, but I enjoy it,” Henderson said. “I love a challenge.”

Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – Golf Canada is pleased to announce the six individuals selected to represent Canada at the 2014 World Amateur Team Championship, conducted by the International Golf Federation. The championships – features both a women’s (Sept 3^rd-6^th) and men’s (10^th-13^th) competition which will take place in Karuizawa, Japan from September 3 – 13, 2014.

Representing Canada on the women’s team is Brooke Henderson, 16, of Smiths Falls, Ont., Augusta James, 21, of Bath, Ont., and Brittany Marchand, 21, of Orangeville, Ont. The trio will vie for the Espirito Santo Trophy at the Kurizawa Prince Hotel Resort’s Oshitate Course and Iriyama Course.

The men’s team selected to represent Canada consists of Corey Conners, 22, of Listowel, Ont., Taylor Pendrith, 23, of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Adam Svensson, 20, of Surrey, B.C. Also contested on both the Oshitate Course and Iriyama Course at Kurizawa Prince Hotel Resort, the men will vie for the Eisenhower Trophy.

“The World Amateur Team Championships are a critical benchmark in our evaluation of Golf Canada’s efforts in high performance player development,” said Golf Canada’s Chief Sport Officer Jeff Thompson. “This particular championship allows our players to compete best on best with the top amateur golfing talents from across the globe. It was an extremely difficult selection for this event. The players selected have demonstrated an extremely high level of performance throughout the selection period over a number of world-class competitions and I am very confident that they will represent the country and themselves very well.”

Women’s Team Bios:

Brooke Henderson, a member of Team Canada’s National Squad for the past three years, will represent Canada in the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship for the second time (2012). She enters the competition as the No. 2 ranked amateur in the world after a wildly successful 2014 season that saw her claim victory at the Porter Cup, the Ontario Women’s Amateur, the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario stop, and the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada. These stellar performances were highlighted by a Top-10 finish at the U.S. Women’s Open where she was awarded low amateur honours as well as a runner up finish at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Augusta James has been a member of Team Canada’s National Squad for the past four years and is entering her senior year at North Carolina State University. The 21-year-old has had a strong 2014 season, finishing tied for fourth at the Porter Cup and runner-up to Henderson in the Ontario Women’s Amateur before winning the prestigious Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. The 2014 World Amateur mark James’ second time competing (2012 she finished T12th).

Brittany Marchand, also a four-year member of Team Canada and fifth year student athlete at NC State, rounds out Canada’s World Amateur trio. Marchand’s busy 2014 season included a 7^th place finish at the Canadian Women’s Amateur, 3^rd place finish in the Ontario Women’s Amateur and T4 finish at the Porter Cup.

Men’s Team Bios:
Cory Conners has been a member of Team Canada for the past four years and recently graduated from Kent State University. Competing in the World Amateur for a second time (2012), he is currently ranked No. 44 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In 2014 Conners claimed the Jones Cup, the Mid-American Conference Championship, the General Hackler Championship, and the Gopher Invitational. He also recently finished runner-up at the U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship to earn exemptions into the 2015 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open Championship and was a finalist in the North & South Amateur Championship held at the prestigious Pinehurst Country Club.

Taylor Pendrith, a Kent State grad known for his powerful drive, ball speed and distance off the tee, is currently ranked No. 45 on the WAGR. He recently made headlines after an impressive performance at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open that saw him finish in a tie for 43^rd, highlighted by an opening round 65. Also in 2014, Pendrith captured the Monroe Invitational and finished second at the Mid-American Conference Championship.

Adam Svensson is entering his junior year at Barry University in the fall. In 2014 he was awarded the Jack Nicklaus Award for being the top NCAA Division II golfer – well-deserved recognition after a 2014 season that saw him claim the Sunshine State Conference Championship, the Buccaneer Invitational and the Bobcat Invitational. Svensson has been a part of the Canadian men’s national team for the past five years.

About the World Amateur Team Championships:
A biennial competition, the World Amateur Team Championship has been played since 1958, with the winner taking home the Eisenhower Trophy. The United States won the 2012 title in Antalya, Turkey, by five strokes over Mexico in a championship that was contested over 54 holes rather than 72. The Canadian contingent of Conners, Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Albin Choi of Toronto tied Norway for sixth place that year.

Conducted every two years, the World Women’s Amateur Team Championship has been staged since 1964, with the winner earning the Espirito Santo Trophy. In 2012, Korea claimed the title by three strokes over Germany. The Canadian team of Henderson, James, and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. placed seventh.

In 27 appearances at the World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has captured the Eisenhower Trophy on one occasion (1986) and earned runner-up honours four times. In 24 appearances at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, Canada has earned runner-up honours three times.

The World Amateur Team titles are contested over four days of stroke play. A country may field a team of two or three players. In each round, the total of the two lowest scores constitutes the team score for the round. The four-day total is the team’s score for the championship.

The World Amateur Team Championships are conducted by the International Golf Federation, which was founded in 1958 to encourage the international development of the game and to employ golf as a vehicle to foster friendship and sportsmanship. The IGF, the International Olympic Committee’s international federation for golf, comprises the national governing bodies of golf in more than 125 countries, and it will conduct the golf competition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

London, Ont. – Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific are pleased to announce the names of 16 players who have received exemptions into next week’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, set to take place at London Hunt and Country Club from August 18 – 24, 2014.

Headlining the list of exemptions is previously confirmed 16-year old Team Canada member Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., fresh off her runner-up finish at this past weekend’s U.S. Women’s Amateur. Henderson, who earned her exemption by winning the Canadian Women’s Tour Ontario stop in June, is currently the second ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). She won the PGA Women’s Championship of Canada last month in a season that includes a tie for 10^th at the US Women’s Open and the Jocelyn Bourassa Player of Year Award on the Canadian Women’s Tour. She will be making her third consecutive start in Canada’ National Women’s Open Golf Championship.

Two other Team Canada amateurs have also been offered exemptions including Jennifer Ha, 20, of Calgary, and Brittany Marchand, 21, of Orangeville, Ont. Currently ranked No. 68 on the WAGR, Ha will make her second appearance in the championship. The Kent State University student won the 2014 NCAA Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational and had runner-up finishes at both the 2014 Porter Cup and 2014 Alberta Ladies Amateur. Marchand, ranked No. 71 and a North Carolina State University student, will make her third appearance in the national championship.

Six Canadians competing on the Symetra Tour have also been granted exemptions including Brantford, Ont. native Nicole Vandermade, who won a Tour event earlier this year and sits no. 14 on the Symetra Tour Money List. A five year member of Canada’s National Amateur Team, Vandermade will be joined by LPGA members and fellow Team Canada graduates Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que. and Maude-Aimee LeBlanc of Sherbrooke, Que. and who sit 15^th and 19^th respectively on the Symetra Tour Money List. The trio will be joined by Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ont., Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Erica Rivard of Tecumseh, Ont. who sit 74^th, 98^th and 122^nd respectively on the Symetra Tour Money List.

Previously announced exemptions include Michelle Piyapattra of Corona, Calif., Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C. and Simin Feng of Windermere, Fla. who joined Brooke Henderson in earning their spots through the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour. Piyapattra is exempt after winning the Canadian Women’s Tour stop at Morningstar Golf and Country Club in Parksville, B.C. while Richdale and Feng received their exemptions based on the 2014 Canadian Women’s Tour Order of Merit.

Among the international rising stars granted exemptions are English teen sensation Charley Hull and Stephanie Meadow of Northern Ireland. Hull is currently ranked No. 3 on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, while Meadow’s professional debut was a third place finish at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open. Thailand’s Jutanugarn sisters Moriya and Ariya, winner of the 2012 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship) will also be competing.

The 16 players earning exemptions into Canada’s National Women’s Open Championship will join a world-class field at London Hunt and Country Club that includes two-time defending champion and Rolex Rankings no. 2 Lydia Ko, Rolex Rankings no. 1 Stacey Lewis, no. 3 Inbee Park, no. 6 Lexi Thompson and no. 12 Paula Creamer.

In addition to Ko, past Canadian Women’s Open champions confirmed to compete include Brittany Lincicome (2011), Suzann Pettersen (2009), Katherine Hull-Kirk (2008) and Cristie Kerr (2006) who won the event when it was last held at the London Hunt and Country Club. Previously confirmed past champion Michelle Wie (2010) withdrew from the event this past weekend due to a hand injury that will sideline her for three to five weeks.

The 10 Canucks offered exemptions will join a Canadian contingent that includes CP ambassador Lorie Kane as well as fellow LPGA Tour players Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont. and Sue Kim of Langley, B.C.

“The Canadian Pacific Women’s Open is not only set to feature arguably the strongest field on the LPGA Tour, but alsp the very best rising talents in Canadian and international golf,” said Canadian Pacific Women’s Open Tournament Director Brent McLaughlin. “Golf fans are sure to be treated to an unbelievable showcase of world-class golf.”

CP Ticket Rally for Heart…

As an added incentive, title sponsor CP has stepped up to encourage spectators to buy advance tickets to the event for the benefit of the Children’s Health Foundation in London Ontario. Through the CP Ticket Rally for Heart campaign, for every eligible ticket purchased to the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open until August 17^th, 2014, Canadian Pacific will donate at least $100 per ticket to the Children’s Health Foundation in support of paediatric heart health programs.

“CP’s advance Ticket Rally for Heart program has already raised over $400,000 for Children’s Health Foundation but I know that London has it in them to raise pre-ticket sales in these final days,” added McLaughlin. “Purchase those spectator tickets early – you buy a ticket and CP donates $100 to support paediatric heart health at the Children’s Hospital. It’s that easy.”

A field of 156 competitors will vie for the US$2.25 million purse when the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open makes its return to London Hunt and Country Club for the first time since 2006.

On Monday August 18, 2014, the LPGA will conduct an 18-hole stroke play competition at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club to determine the four lowest qualifiers. Each of these qualifiers will receive exemptions directly into the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Tickets for all tournament days of the 2014 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open are still available with children aged 17 and under getting in free all week with a ticketed adult.

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Kristen Gillman rallied to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Sunday, beating Canada’s Brooke Mackenzie Henderson 2 up in the 36-hole finale at Nassau Country Club.

The 16-year-old Gillman, from Austin, Texas, lost the 25th and 26th to fall 3 down. She won the short, par-4 27th with a birdie, cut it to 1 down with a birdie win on the par-4 30th and pulled even with another birdie win on the par-4 32nd.

Gillman took the lead with a birdie win on the par-5 33rd, matched the 16-year-old Henderson with pars on the 34th and 35th holes and took the par-4 18th with a birdie.

Gillman, coming off an 11-stroke victory last week in the Junior PGA Championship, is set to attend the University of Alabama in 2016.

Henderson failed in her bid to become the third Canadian winner in tournament history. Marlene Stewart accomplished the feat in 1956, and Cathy Sherk did it in 1978.

“I played well today, and I held the lead after the first 18,” said Henderson after her round.  “I just didn’t play quite as well on the back 18 as I would have liked.  Kristen played really well and she made a lot of putts when she needed to.”

The loss was emotional for Henderson, but the Team Canada member has a lot of reasons to smile after the strong finish.

“It’s been a great week,  I really enjoyed it,” added Henderson. “I definitely will learn a lot from this and take away a lot from this week.”

Henderson will likely move to No. 1 in the World Women’s Amateur Rankings next week.

(Copyright USGA)

Kristen Gillman (Copyright USGA)

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Kristen Gillman and Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson won semifinal matches Saturday to advance to the 36-hole final in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Nassau Country Club.

The 16-year-old Gillman, Austin, Texas, beat 15-year-old Andrea Lee of Hermosa Beach, California, 4 and 3. Henderson, the 16-year-old Canadian who is No. 2 in the world amateur ranking, edged 16-year-old Hannah O’Sullivan of Paradise Valley, Arizona, 1 up.

“It feels awesome,” Gillman said. “Coming into this week that’s all you wanted. It feels great to accomplish that.

Gillman is coming off an 11-stroke victory last week in the Junior PGA Championship.

“It helped me a lot about all the momentum and just the confidence I had in my game,” Gillman said.

Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., is trying to become the third Canadian winner in tournament history, following Marlene Stewart in 1956 and Cathy Sherk in 1978.

“It’s amazing. I’m really excited to play tomorrow,” Henderson said. “As I said earlier, I still have a lot of work to do. It’s exciting to be in the final. Best finish previous to this week was round of 32, so it’s great to have a chance to win and contend for the title.

“Definitely going to play my game, be smart about decisions. Match play is really different from stroke play. You’ve got to be really careful and smart.”

Henderson overcame an early two-hole deficit. She took the lead with a birdie win on the par-4 14th and matched O’Sullivan with pars on the final four holes.

“She was playing really well,” Henderson said. “She’s a great player and she has a great future ahead of her. It was a lot of fun out there. I made a couple mistakes early that got me 2 down, but I was able to fight back, and that’s really key to learn how to do that.”

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson remains red-hot, advancing to Saturday’s U.S. Women’s Amateur semifinals after beating UCLA’s Alison Lee 1 up at Nassau Country Club.

The 16-year-old Henderson Team Canada member who was low amateur in the U.S. Women’s Open ended the match with a par halve on the par-4 18th. After Henderson won the par-3 16th with a par to take a 2-up lead, the 19-year-old Lee, from Valencia, California, cut it to one with a birdie win on the par-4 17th.

Henderson, from Smith Falls, Ont., is trying to become the third Canadian winner in tournament history, following Marlene Stewart in 1956 and Cathy Sherk in 1978.

Henderson, the no. 2 ranked female amateur in the world, will face 16-year-old Hannah O’Sullivan of Paradise Valley, Arizona, a 5-and-4 winner over 21-year-old former Pepperdine player Grace Na of Alameda, California.

Their semi-final match will begin at 10:00am EDT on Saturday, with the final match to be played on Sunday.

In the other semifinal, 16-year-old Kristen Gillman of Austin, Texas, will play 15-year-old Andrea Lee of Hermosa Beach, California. Gillman rallied to beat 18-year-old Su-Hyun Oh of Australia in 20 holes, and Andrea Lee topped 14-year-old Eunjeong Seong of South Korea 2 and 1.

For live scoring, click here.

Brooke Henderson (USGA)

Brooke Henderson and Alison Lee (USGA)

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Two Canadians won their matches Thursday morning at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, advancing to the afternoon Round of 16 at Nassau Country Club.

Sixteen-year-old Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. took down Ember Shuldt of Sterling, Ill. 4 & 3. The No. 2 ranked female amateur in the world will square off against Dylan Kim of Plano, Tex. Kim advanced to the round of 16 by defeating Canada’s Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. earlier in the day, 2 & 1.

Also advancing for Canada is the recently crowned Canadian Women’s Amateur champion, Augusta James. The Bath, Ont. native bested fellow Canadian, Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont. 2-up. She will face 33^rd seeded Hannah O’Sullivan of Paradise Valley, Ariz. at 1 pm EDT.

For live scoring, click here.

Austin James and Augusta James (USGA)

GLEN COVE, N.Y. – Team Canada’s Brooke Henderson advanced to the U.S. Women’s Amateur quarterfinal by winning her match Thursday afternoon at Nassau Country Club.

Henderson, 16, was all square through seven holes, but eventually pulled ahead, defeating Dylan Kim of Piano, Tex., 3&2. The Smiths Falls, Ont. native will carry her momentum from a very successful summer season into Friday’s match. The world’s no. 2 ranked female amateur is set to take on Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif. at 12:55 EDT.

Fellow Canadian and Team Canada teammate, Augusta James, fell in a nail-biting, 20-hole match to Hannah O’Sullivan of Paradise Valley, Ariz. James, of Bath, Ont., is coming off a win at the Canadian Women’s Amateur last week and will surely be looking forward to some rest after another strong performance at Nassau.

For live scoring, click here.

GLEN COVE, N.Y. -Four of the five Canadians who qualified for match play at the 2014 US Women’s Amateur at Nassau Country Club advanced to the round of 32 Wednesday.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont. continues her dominant play, beating Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif. 7 & 5 to advance. Henderson, who recently finished as low amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open, now faces Ember Schuldt, Sterling, Ill. in her upcoming match.

In an all Canadian match-up, newly crowned Canadian Women’s Amateur champion Augusta James of Bath, Ont. will face Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont. Thursday after defeating Sarah Burnham of Maple Grove, Minn.2-up. Tong made easy work of Ashley Burk of Boynton Beach, Fla. winning 5&4.

Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont. overtook China’s Yunjie Zhang 2-up and now faces Plano, Texas’ Dylan Kim.

The lone Canadian to fall Wednesday was Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City. She lost 2& 1 to Portland Rosen of Sugar Land, Texas.

In other notable match-ups, Lakareber Abe beat qualifying medalist Bethany Wu 6 and 4 Wednesday. The 18-year-old Abe, an Alabama recruit from Angleton, Texas, is trying to become the first black female individual champion in U.S. Golf Association history.

“It was just smooth sailing,” said Abe, second last year in the U.S. Girls’ Junior. “I didn’t get too up or too down. Just kind of steady the whole time.”

The 17-year-old Wu, from Diamond Bar, California, became the first top seed to fall in the first round since co-medalist Jihee Kim in 2011.

“I wasn’t hitting it solid,” Wu said. “After I lost the third hole, it kind of got in my head. I tried to come back so quickly, and it just didn’t work out. Overall, just a terrible day.”

Defending champion Emma Talley, the 20-year-old University of Alabama player from Princeton, Kentucky, edged Jiyoon Jang of Rancho Mirage, California, in 19 holes. Talley set up a second-round match with Princess Mary Superal, the 17-year-old Filipino player who won the U.S. Girls’ Junior last month.

Superal beat Raegan Bremer of Anaheim, California, 3 and 1.

Brittany Marchand (USGA)