Sharp rides Rio wave on home turf
Hamiltonian 10th after two rounds at Manulife Classic in Ontario
Alena Sharp has always flown the flag proudly, but you can make the argument she’s even a little more proudly Canadian today than she was a few weeks back.
The change has been the opportunity to represent her country in Rio as golf returned to the Olympics after more than a 100-year absence. And whether it’s coincidence or not, Hamilton’s Sharp has been, well, as sharp as ever since that experience in Rio in which she placed 12th with a pair of 69s in the four-day tournament.
Through two rounds at the LPGA Manulife Classic Friday, Sharp has put herself firmly in contention for a second week in a row on tour.
Now no one is questioning Sharp’s previous loyalty to her homeland. The flag is and always has been prominent on her golf spikes and her golf bag no matter where she has played the game in since she joined the LPGA Tour in 2005.
But since the Olympics, Sharp has been locked in and readily admits there has been a carry-over from that experience.
“I definitely think so,” she said following a round of two-under par that puts her 5-under for the tournament and five shots off the lead in a tie for 10th.
“It’s nice to come back from Rio and play two consecutive events in Canada. I can’t think of a better way to come back from Rio. It’s nice to be able to play in the Canadian Open and the Manulife.
“I think playing for your country is just a whole different ball game as opposed to just playing for yourself every week,” Sharp said.
“I felt like everybody was behind me and it’s just a different feeling, a different mentality. It helped me put things in perspective. I really enjoyed myself and tried to have a good time when I was there and I did. Just being called an Olympian is just a huge thing to have and it gives you that extra little swagger in your step.”
Sharp tied for fourth at the Canadian Open in Calgary last weekend, her best showing ever on the LPGA Tour and is looking to better that here just outside of Waterloo at the nicely manicured Whistle Bear Golf Club.
“I think definitely it’s on my mind that I could get a win here,” Sharp said. “I just gotta keep doing what I’m doing — hit the fairways and try and hit high shots into these greens and string a couple of good holes together. You can make an eagle out here. It’s there. It just depends on how the wind is the next couple of days.
“It’s supposed to warm up so maybe it won’t be as bad,” Sharp said, but she wouldn’t mind the wind sticking around. “I think it plays to my advantage when it’s windy and it’s tougher. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m glad I’m in this position again after last week. I just need to get some rest and be ready for (Saturday).”
Sharp goes into the weekend the low Canadian, two shots better than Brooke Henderson — the only other Canadian woman in Rio for the golf and the Canadian on tour who has been getting the lion’s share of the attention for the past two years. Sharp is one shot better than Maude-Aimee Leblanc, who equalled Henderson in Friday’s round at one-under and is now four-under for the tournament.
Henderson is 17 years younger than Sharp but the two have become very friendly, playing practice rounds together whenever possible. Sharp provides the experience and Henderson provides the energy, making it a good partnership for both players.
At Whistle Bear on Friday, Henderson played two groups in front of Sharp who was paired with England’s Charley Hull and South Korean Ha Na Jang.
Henderson was in a trio with World No. 2 Aryiya Jutanugarn and American Cristie Kerr.
Both groups started on the back nine so finished up on the Par 5 ninth which Henderson birdied to get into red numbers for her round.
Sharp’s Olympic experience, though, is only one part of why at the age of 35 she is having her best season on the LPGA Tour.
She credits Henderson for part of it, too, admitting she is inspired by her young friend, who has rocketed up the rankings to No. 3 on the tour in her first full year.
“I think she’s raised the bar, and she’s positive, aggressive,” Sharp said. “I love being around her. Just a very infectious attitude and I think it’s helped me kind of try and be an 18-year-old again and not be afraid of things and to go after them.”
The other big changes in her golf game have been a coaching change with Sharp now working under the watchful eye of national coach Tristan Mullally. She’s also working with mental coach Mimi Peak for the past 18 months and that is showing dividends as well.
“I think I’m not thinking as much, which is good,” she said. “Just being an athlete and playing the game and being smart obviously with my clubs off the tee and reading the greens well. So there’s less thinking going on, just playing and really enjoying it and really not thinking about swing. Just really into the target.”
That focus on the target has been laser-like since her experience in Rio.