Canada’s Marchand builds confidence at CP Women’s Open, eyes LPGA card

As Brittany Marchand walked from hole to hole at the CP Women’s Open, she’d sometimes look a little startled when fans called out “Way to go Britt!” or “You’ve got this!” Every time, though, she’d smile and wave or tip her visor at them.

Marchand didn’t have the same mammoth crowds as her fellow Canadian Brooke Henderson, but the 25-year-old from Orangeville, Ont., still got support all around the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.

She completed the LPGA event tied for 30th at 3-under par, drawing more fans than she sees on the minor Symetra Tour, her usual circuit.

“I’m a little more used to it now. It’s kind of nice, I think, just to have people behind you and really supporting you,” said Marchand on Sunday.

“They’re usually always cheering you on no matter how it goes. But it’s nice to have that support backing you, especially playing at home.”

Marchand, who also played in the LPGA’s Manulife Classic, put together a solid showing at the Women’s Open.

Although Henderson won the Sandra Post Medal as the tournament’s low Canadian, Marchand actually had better rounds three of the four days. Henderson, from nearby Smiths Falls, Ont., finished tied for 12th at 7 under on the back of a course-record 8-under 63 in the third round.

“Definitely a confidence builder,” said Marchand, who shot a 2-under 69 on Sunday.

“Especially being able to finish strong today.

“In Manulife it was different because I was much higher and I dropped. But having that last day, all those nerves and all that stuff today I felt like I handled it way better.

“It’s just another step forward for me.”

After completing play at the Women’s Open, Marchand went straight on to Sioux Falls, S.D., for the Great Life Challenge.

She won her first Symetra Tour title this year and earned her way into the Evian Championship, the final LPGA major of the season.

Events like the Women’s Open, the Manulife Classic and the Evian Championship are showing her that she can hang on the top LPGA Tour while teaching her the little things that it takes to be a professional golfer.