Lydia Ko shoots 5-under 67 to take early lead in Canadian Pacific Women’s Open

COQUITLAM, B.C. – Two-time champion Lydia Ko shot a 5-under 67 on Thursday at Vancouver Golf Club to take the early lead in the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

Ko won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, 4 months to become the LPGA Tour’s youngest winner and fifth amateur champion. She successfully defended her title in 2013 as an amateur, winning by five strokes in Edmonton, Alberta. The 18-year-old New Zealander has two victories this year.

“It’s a really solid start,” Ko said. “I had the same score the last time I was here. It’s good to start off well and hopefully this will give me good momentum for the next couple of days.”

Danah Bordner and Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg shot 68.

Canadian teen Brooke Henderson, coming off a victory Sunday in the Portland Classic, played in the afternoon. The 17-year-old Henderson is the first Canadian to win on the tour since Lorie Kane in 2001.

Top-ranked Inbee Park, the Women’s British Open winner in her last start, opened with a 71. She has a tour-high four victories this season.

Michelle Wie had a 74. Struggling with a left ankle injury, she’s playing for the first time since withdrawing during the second round of the Women’s British Open after slipping walking off a tee box.