Brooke Henderson keeps Canadian hopes alive at CP Women's Open with first-round 70

Brooke Henderson won't rate her first round as a member of the LPGA Tour as anything memorable, but it was good enough to put her within striking distance of the leaders.

The 17-year-old rookie pro from Smiths Falls, Ont., shot a 2-under 70 Thursday at the Canadian Pacific Women's Open to close the opening round five strokes behind leader Karine Icher of France, who shot a sizzling 65. Lurking two strokes behind Icher is two-time tournament champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who was 5-under on the day.

Ko recorded seven birdies and two bogeys to take the early lead, at least until Icher got on the course. Icher, who at 36 is twice Ko's age, came out on fire and recorded five birdies on the front nine. She added another two on the back.

Henderson, who recorded her first LPGA victory on Sunday by finishing eight strokes ahead of the field, was greeted by enthusiastic crowds from the moment she teed off in the afternoon at the Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, B.C.

Henderson had a bit of an up-and-down start, recording two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. She narrowly missed birdie putts on the fifth and ninth, but birdied the 13th and 14th holes to finish strongly.

“Two under, I’ll take it,” Henderson told reporters after her round. 

Compared with her last appearance here, this was a major step forward. The first time she was at this event she missed the cut. Of course, she was only 14 at the time.

She missed the cut again a year later in Edmonton and finished in a tie for 46th last year in London, Ont.

Things are shaping up much better this time. She's tied for 13th place heading into Friday's second round behind the likes of Stacey Lewis (68) and Candy Kung (69.)

There are also plenty of top golfers behind her. Defending champion So Yeo Ryu birdied one hole and parred the rest to stand at one-under 71. World number one Inbee Park struggled, recording back-to-back bogeys on the seventh and eighth, to finish at 71, as well.

Canada was well-represented, with Hamilton's Alena Sharp ending the day one under in spite of three bogeys. Jessica Wallace of Vancouver was on her way to a par round until she double-bogeyed the 15th.

Veteran Lorie Kane had her troubles, opening with a bogey and finshing with a double-bogey, to end the day 4-over.