By Torleif Sorenson on 6/5/15

Cheyenne Woods has been known to golf fans (and others) as Tiger Woods's niece, who happens to play golf. But the Wake Forest University graduate is more than just a name; she has been improving her game as time has gone on.

On Thursday during the opening round of the third annual Manulife LPGA Classic, the 2014 Australian Ladies Masters champion and current LPGA rookie carved up Whistle Bear Golf Club in Kitchener, Ontario, firing a 63 for a new course record:


How good was Woods on Thursday? She hit all 14 fairways with an average drive of 276 yards, hit 16 of 18 GIR, and took just 26 putts. That eagle at 9 was the result of a 50-foot putt. The birdie at 16 made her the co-leader, while the birdie at 17 gave her the outright lead — for awhile.

To be fair, that course record was equaled in the afternoon by 17-time LPGA winner Cristie Kerr and relative newcomer P.K. Kongkraphan from Thailand. But Woods had reason to be pleased with her Thursday round:

"I had one bogey, which was a stupid three-putt, but overall I played solid.

"It's great to be in this position. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm just going to go out there — it's a new day — and go into it with the same mindset and just go play golf.

"Last week, I didn't play well, but I putted better, so I carried that into this week. I'm putting better this week also. I think that gives me more confidence from the fairway, too, for my approach shots. I think that was a big change for me that helped me."

And that is how things should be.

Most Canadians are also watching the progress of two sisters from Ontario — Brooke and Brittany Henderson, who shot 71 and 72 respectively. Brooke is the one who has compelled attention; the 2013 Canadian Women's Amateur champion has won three professional events, the biggest of which was the 2014 PGA Women's Championship of Canada — as an amateur.


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Hat-tip: Alex Myers