Khang is in the unusual position of returning as reigning champion to a course she has never played before
During a promotional event last month at Earl Grey Golf Club, Megan Khang was seated right next to the CPKC Women’s Open trophy.
One was gleaming. One was beaming.
“I caught a glimpse of my name etched in there and it’s just a super cool feeling,” said Khang, the defending tournament champion. “Getting that first win and now seeing my name on the trophy, it was just like, ‘Wow!’ I took a picture of it. It’ll be something to cherish for my entire career.”
This week, she’ll try to add a second engraving.
The CPKC Women’s Open rotates around the country — this is the first LPGA Tour stop in the Calgary area since 2016 — so Khang is in the unusual position of returning as reigning champion to a course that she has never played before.
She prevailed in a playoff last summer at Shaughnessy in Vancouver, firing a four-round score of nine-under 279 en route to her first professional victory.
The 26-year-old Khang, who hails from Brockton, Mass., should have a couple of opportunities for a practice spin prior to Thursday’s opening round of this 72-hole showdown. She’ll find what the members at Earl Grey already know — that accuracy is key to success on this tree-lined layout, which will measure 6,856 yards during tournament action, and that your birdie putts will roll smooth on some of the best greens in the city.
“Winning here in Canada, winning this event, it’s been huge for me,” Khang said. “It has given me a ton of confidence and has projected me into playing my best and keeping myself hungry for more.
“Now, it’s exciting to learn a new golf course and just really test my game once again. It’s going to be some stiff competition with all these girls out here, but I’m definitely excited. It’s a little different than last year, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Khang has company this week in the past champs’ category.
Canadian superstar Brooke Henderson won her national title in 2018 at Wascana in Regina, while Lydia Ko of New Zealand has triumphed three times at the CPKC Women’s Open.
The mountain views will bring back plenty of fond memories for Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn. She topped the leaderboard in 2016 at Priddis Greens.
Khang was just a rookie when the LPGA Tour made its previous stop in Cowtown. She has learned in six career trips to Canada that she can always count on good food, a strong golf course and a warm welcome from fans, staff and volunteers. She reiterated what you’ll hear often — that many players view the CPKC Women’s Open as “our honourary sixth major.”
“It’s definitely a little more pressure coming into this event as the defending champion,” Khang said. “But I’m just going to try to stick to the game-plan that helped me get the win at Shaughnessy, and hopefully it will work out in my favour.”
Next stop: 2024 Paris Olympics
While the timing will be a bit tricky, some of the LPGA Tour stars will be hoping to catch at least a sliver of Friday’s coverage of the opening ceremonies for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
That is, after all, their next stop.
The 156-player field at Earl Grey includes 23 Olympians. The women’s golf competition in Paris runs Aug. 7-10.
Henderson and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp will be representing Canada in France.
Also among those warming up in Calgary — a city that hosted the Winter Olympics in 1988 — are Hannah Green and Minjee Lee of Australia, Lilia Vu and Rose Zhang of the U.S., and New Zealand’s Ko, who will be aiming to complete an impressive set. She already owns Olympic silver and bronze.
Unfortunately, American dynamo Nelly Korda, who struck gold in 2021 in Tokyo and won five consecutive LPGA Tour events earlier this season, is skipping this historic 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open.
CHIP SHOTS: Tickets for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open can be purchased online or at the main admissions gate. Spectator parking is located at Mount Royal University, with a free shuttle to the course. If you prefer to commute via Calgary’s network of pathways, a great option since Earl Grey is perched on the edge of the Glenmore Reservoir, bike parking is available at the gate.