Canadian Women's Amateur: Rina Kawasaki of Japan wins by four shots at 6-under

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Rina Kawasaki completed a wire-to-wire victory Friday at the 112th Canadian Women's Amateur Championship, closing with a 3-under 69 to claim the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup by four shots at The Toronto Golf Club. The 16-year-old from Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., finished at 6-under 278 (72-69-68-69), capping her week with a third straight round in the 60s and pulling away from 2023 champion Lauren Kim of Surrey, British Columbia.

Kawasaki's final round featured an early birdie at the first hole that immediately extended her overnight advantage. Although Kim briefly narrowed the margin to a single stroke late on the front nine, Kawasaki stayed composed and seized control on the back nine with birdies at Nos. 13 and 17 before calmly parring the closing hole to secure the title. She played the inward nine in 8-under par for the championship, a key factor in her breakthrough victory.

"It's really an honour to be part of such a historic tournament. 112 years of history is really impressive and to do it at such a historic venue is really amazing," Kawasaki told Golf Canada after the victory.

The win earns Kawasaki exemptions into next month's CPKC Women's Open, where she will make her LPGA Tour debut, as well as the 2026 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship and a return to defend her title at the 2027 Canadian Women's Amateur. Born in Tokyo before moving first to Hawaii and later Southern California, Kawasaki was competing in Canada for the first time with her father, Yasu, serving as her caddie throughout the week.

Lauren Kim finished alone in second at 2-under, while Aphrodite Deng of Calgary, Alberta, Angelina Tolentino of Mount Laurel, N.J., and Jie-En Lin of Chinese Taipei shared third at 1-under. Deng matched the lowest round of the championship with a closing 5-under 66. Earlier in the week, Team Ontario captured the Inter-Provincial Team Championship for the third time in four years, finishing eight shots ahead of Team Manitoba.

"I didn't know what to expect, it's my first time in Canada. Ever since I landed here the people have been so nice... Everything has exceeded my expectations. The volunteers, the members and staff — I just feel everyone welcomed us with an open heart."

Rina Kawasaki of Palos Verdes Estates, California, and Lauren Kim of Surrey, British Columbia, are tied atop the leaderboard at 4-under par through three rounds at Toronto Golf Club. Kim, who finished T5 last year, has moved up from the second-round co-lead to remain in contention for the title.

Kylie Chong of Torrance, California, sits two shots back in solo third at 2-under. Kaitlyn Schroeder of Jacksonville, Florida—who tied for fourth at 3-over in the 2025 championship—is alone in fourth at 1-under. Angelina Tolentino of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and Jie-En Lin of Chinese Taipei are tied for fifth at 1-over, three shots ahead of seventh-place Veronika Kedronova.

With weather delays wreaking havoc on the schedule, only a handful of players have completed two rounds at Toronto Golf Club. Eliana Saga of Stevenson Ranch, California, and Lauren Kim of Surrey, British Columbia, share the lead at 1-under par after finishing 36 holes, posting 71-70 and 72-69, respectively. Kylie Chong of Torrance, California, also sits at 1-under but has played just 16 holes of her second round after opening with 70.

Kim, who finished T5 at 5-under in last year's championship, posted the low round of the day with 69. Veronika Kedronova of Czechia and Kynadie Adams of Gallatin, Tennessee, are tied for fourth at even par. Adams has yet to tee off in round two, scheduled for 7:40 a.m.

Play was suspended at 3:51 p.m. local time due to dangerous weather, with Elise Lee of Irvine, California, and Shauna Liu of Maple, Ontario, sharing the lead at 3-under par through seven holes.

In June, Lee became the first player in Southwestern Amateur history to record four consecutive rounds in the 60s at the Outlaw Course, posting scores of 69-69-67-69. Her 14-under total tied the Southwestern's 72-hole scoring mark, showcasing the complete game that helped Northwestern win a national championship in 2025 before her transfer to USC.

The co-leaders have combined for just one bogey between them in the early going at historic Toronto Golf Club.

Taylor Kehoe of Strathroy, Ontario, and Ella Weber of Burlington, Ontario, sit two shots back at 2-under. Kehoe has played seven holes, while Weber has completed just three holes. The championship is scheduled for 72 holes of stroke play with a cut to the low 70 and ties after two rounds.