Edmonton hosts CPKC Canadian Women’s Open with Brooke Henderson seeking third victory

By Liam Tremblay — 19 August 2026 — 4 min read

The CPKC Women’s Open is underway in Edmonton, with Canada’s Brooke Henderson aiming for her third win in the tournament. The event, which began Thursday at the Royal Mayfair Club, marks the 52nd edition of the tournament in Canada, dating back to 1973. Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., has previously won the tournament in 2018 and last year in Mississauga, Ont., and is known for thriving under the spotlight of her home country’s LPGA event.

Henderson expressed that the energy and atmosphere from the fans provide positive support, which she has often used to her advantage. She hopes to deliver exciting rounds for spectators as she pursues another victory. Her 2018 win was a significant career highlight, a dream come true, and last year’s victory was particularly special as her sister, who was her caddy, was present before taking time off with her new daughter. The family and friends joining her on the green after that win added to its meaning.

Tournament field and course conditions

The US$2.75 million CPKC Women’s Open features a strong field, including six of the world’s top 10 golfers. Among them is Nelly Korda of the United States, currently ranked number one. Of the 14 players from the top 25, Henderson is ranked 11th. Other notable players in the field include HyoJoo Kim, Miyu Yamashita, Ruoning Yin, Hannah Green, and Minjee Lee. Korda has secured four wins in 12 events on the tour this season.

The tournament is being held at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club, which is hosting the event for the third time in the last two decades. This marks the fourth time Edmonton has hosted the tournament, with the Edmonton Country Club having hosted it in 1996. The course superintendent, Wade Peckham, noted that the recent clear skies and warm temperatures have helped prepare the course after a summer of significant rainfall. Despite challenges such as bunker washouts and flooded fairways due to the wet conditions, the course has recovered well and is ready for play.

Matt Johnson, president and chief operating officer of the Royal Mayfair, anticipates between 75,000 and 80,000 spectators over the four-day tournament. He highlighted the special opportunity for the city to witness top-tier golf, noting the players’ intense focus on winning. The course was handed over to Golf Canada and the LPGA on Friday, with golfers beginning to arrive on Sunday for registration and practice rounds on Monday.

Canadian contingent and other contenders

Henderson, the winningest Canadian golfer with 14 tour victories, has shown strong form this year, placing in the top three at the Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. She lost in a playoff to Haeran Ryu of South Korea in the latter event. Henderson recently tied for 29th at the AIG Women’s Open in Britain and has made the cut in all five majors this year. She attributes her recent confidence and momentum to her strong major finishes earlier in the summer, feeling her game has returned to a previous level.

Off the course, Henderson became engaged this summer to Ricky Castro, a pitching prospect for the Minnesota Twins, and also became an aunt. She believes these personal milestones have contributed to a more relaxed and free approach to her game. Henderson leads a contingent of 15 Canadians in the field of 156 professionals and amateurs competing on the 6,452-yard, par-70 course. This group includes Albertans Eileen Park of Red Deer, and Aphrodite Deng and Tillie Claggett of Calgary, who received tour exemptions.

Another Canadian talent, Anna Huang of Vancouver, who is 17, won her fourth Ladies European Tour tournament in less than a year on August 9 in London. Huang expressed excitement to compete among the world’s best, feeling her game is in a good position. Lydia Ko of New Zealand, a three-time winner of Canada’s tournament in 2012, 2013, and 2015, returns to seek an unprecedented fourth victory. Ko won in Edmonton in 2013 as a 16-year-old amateur. She mentioned that the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary helped her prepare for winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris later that summer. Ko, along with Pat Bradley (1980, 1985, 1986) and Meg Mallon (2000, 2002, 2004), are the only women to have won the tournament three times.

Mosquitoes have been a topic of discussion among players due to the wet conditions in Edmonton, which has received 56 centimetres of rain since June 1. Ko prepared by purchasing various insect repellents and plans to wear long sleeves, pants, and socks to avoid bites. Henderson also acknowledged the bugginess, suggesting she might be more accustomed to it. The forecast for the tournament includes part sun and part cloud, with showers expected Saturday night. The Royal Ottawa Golf Club is scheduled to host the tournament next year.

Source: golfcanada.ca