Japan's Yuka Saso produced a blistering run of birdies to grab the first-round lead at the CPKC Women's Open with a six-under-par round of 66 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver on Thursday.
Saso, starting on the back nine, reached the turn on even par but the 22-year-old, who won the U.S. Women's Open in 2021, came alive with four straight birdies and added two more to ensure a one-stroke lead over Sweden's Linn Grant.
"First nine was pretty stable. Hit it okay. Putted okay. I don't know what happened on the back nine. I started hitting some good second shots and having short putts for birdies, giving myself a lot of chances," said the Philippines-born Saso, who was delighted with her approach shots in particular.