Canadian Women’s Open: Olympic silver medallist Ko’s tough to beat in second home

PRIDDIS, ALTA.— The top player in the world should be the favourite to win her fourth Canadian women’s golf championship at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club.

But Lydia Ko, the Olympic silver medallist from New Zealand who leads the LPGA rankings, is second when it comes to being the sentimental choice.

That honour belongs to Brooke Henderson, the 18-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., who is ranked No. 3 and hoping to break a long drought for Canadians at home. The last Canadian to win was Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973.

“It’s definitely something I’m hoping to break . . . that history . . . either this year, next year or in a couple of years,” said Henderson.

Ko, however, is on a roll after a strong performance in Rio and seems to thrive in Canada. She’s won three times, including last year. Two of those wins came when she was an amateur — the first in 2012, when she was just 15 years old.

“Somebody out there earlier today said, ‘You know if you win this one more time you probably can’t reject saying that you’re a Canadian,’ ” said Ko with a laugh. “I said ‘Well they didn’t even ask me in the first place.’ ”

Storms played havoc with the opening round Thursday. Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow had the early clubhouse lead at six-under 66. Ko was in a group one shot back. Henderson was among the late starters.

Toronto’s Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Jessica Wallace, of Langley, B.C., were the top Canadians among the early starters at two-under 70.

“It was up and down,” said Lee-Bentham, who bogeyed her final hole. “I had two three-putts today. It’s a little frustrating because the greens are tough here but overall it was a solid round.”

Bentham is playing in her last LPGA event. She plans to retire at age 24 and might return to school.