American Lauren Coughlin takes early lead at CPKC Women’s Open [Video]

Lauren Coughlin credited caddie Terry McNamara with helping keep her head in the game.

The American shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to sit atop the leaderboard after the opening round of the 2024 CPKC Canadian Women’s Open.

“I was just super patient,” said Coughlin, who started this country’s national championship with eight straight pars. “(McNamara) just said to me, ‘It’s playing tough, they’ll come.’

Coughlin went on to birdie five of nine holes on the front side of Earl Grey Golf Club’s challenging par-72, 6,856-yard course. She then drained a five-foot par putt on No. 10 to take the clubhouse lead by one stroke over Australian Minjee Lee.

“My chip went a little bit by (the hole), further than I would’ve liked,” Coughlin said. “It was a great putt. I’ve been really solid on that distance all year.

“I felt pretty confident.”

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., also credited her caddie — …