Canadian Maddie Szeryk has proven she can hold her own on the LPGA Tour.
Szeryk, from London, Ontario, played her best result to date on the world’s best women’s golf course last week, finishing tied for 26th at the CP Women’s Open. She finished with a straight 71 for a 9-under overall at the national championship at Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club on Sunday.
“It was really special. 18th and I was really suffocating, just the crowd and everyone who came out and gave me such support,” said Szeryk, who was just steps from the stands around the final hole of the course.
Sherik, 26, missed the cut in six straight tournaments in her first full season on the LPGA Tour. She tied with American partner Kristy McPherson for $4,841 on July 13 at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational for 36th.
At the CP Women’s Open, she more than quadrupled her earnings and took home $19,701.
“I hope to make a few more birdies, but overall, it’s been a great week,” Sherrick said. “I’m very pleased with the result.
“It was great to have such a great week at the Canadian Open.”
Szeryk turned pro in 2018 and finished 35th in the LPGA Q Series, earning his tour card that season. Her performance at the CP Women’s Open will see her jump from No. 184 to No. 158 in the CME Globe competition and open up new opportunities for her to assert her Tour status.
She will play the Dana Open next week at the Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania Heights, Ohio, and will play the remainder of September.
“It’s great because there’s been a lot of last-minute travel this year,” Sherrick said. “At least I know the next couple and can move on from there.”
Alena Sharp (67) of Hamilton finished 17th at 10-under par to earn her third career sand at the National Championship as the Canadian low scorer La Poste Award. Like Sherrick, Sharp, 41, said it was an advantage for her and could help her avoid another LPGA Tour qualification.
“When I do well at the Canadian Open, I usually do well, so it’s nice to do well here,” Sharpe said. “It’s definitely going to get me into the Q-series, the last tier, so I don’t have to go to Q-II, so that’s important too.”
“Hopefully I can keep the momentum going and don’t even have to.”
World No. 5 Brooke Henderson, 69, of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished fifth in 49th. Amateur Lauren Zarestky (73) of Thornhill, Ont., started Monday at Texas Tech University and finished 1-over par in 75th. Rebecca Lee-Bentham (72) of Toronto is 76th with 2 overs.
