THE CANADIAN PRESS
PRIDDIS, Alta. — Next time, Maude-Aimee Leblanc will remember her camera.
The 20-year-old amateur from Sherbrooke, Que., was among the early starters at the CN Canadian Women’s Open on Thursday and found her name on the scoreboard after making a couple birdies. Unfortunately, she’ll only have the memory to prove it.
“I wish I had a camera to take a picture,” Leblanc said after signing for an even-par 71 at Priddis Greens. “I’m sure there’ll be other opportunities like this.”
While Leblanc is considered one of the potential future Canadian stars on the LPGA Tour, she also proved she has what it takes to play at a high level now — matching Adrienne White of Red Deer, Alta., for the lowest opening round score by a homegrown player.
They were seven shots behind leader Anna Rawson.
It looked like Leblanc would be even closer than that until she made back-to-back double bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16. At least she managed to right the ship by finishing with a pair of birdies.
“I was not focused on my game at all (on the 17th tee),” said Leblanc. “I was just thinking about the previous two holes. My caddie helped me stay in the moment. …
“I’m happy with the way I finished.”
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (72) was another shot lower while Canadian Amateur champion Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., and A.J. Eathorne of Penticton, B.C., each had a 73.
The other Canadians in the field will have to make up ground to stick around for the weekend: Jessica Shepley (74) of Oakville, Ont.; Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane (75) and amateur Nicole Vandermade (75) of Brantford, Ont.; amateur Stephanie Sherlock (76) of Barrie, Ont.; amateur Sue Kim (79) of Langley, B.C.; Kira Meixner (81) of Richmond, B.C.; and Ashley Sholer (84) of Hamilton.
Kane still managed a smile after struggling to find her game in the gusty afternoon wind.
“I’m working and it’s part of what I do,” she said. “But the support I have from CN and the Canadian fans is unbelievable. If I can’t enjoy that then I probably shouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”
Eathorne’s first round on the LPGA Tour since last October was quite eventful. She made an unlikely par after shanking a tee shot off a van, hit only a handful of fairways and had to play in front of spectators again.
As a result, she was pleased with her score.
“I’m just not comfortable, I wish I was,” said Eathorne. “I’m still nervous. This is my first LPGA event in almost a year. Even coming up (Nos.) 8 and 9, I was like, Oh, I just want to breathe right now.’
“It’s alright. It’s what makes us human.”
Leblanc was in a joking mood after her first round.
When asked what she’ll be looking to do better in the second round on Friday, she quipped: “Make pars on 15 and 16.”