CPKC WOMEN'S OPEN

August 20, 2026

Michelle Xing

Royal Mayfair Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, we are joined by Michelle Xing after the first round of the CPKC Women's Open. Michelle, 5-under 65 today; only 23 putts out there. Can you talk us through your round today, especially on the greens?

MICHELLE XING: I was just trying to keep it simple. Like a lot of the time just trying to get the speed with certain putts because I had a lot of long putts.

I was lucky enough to make a couple longer ones from the fringe which kind of helped me with the putting numbers a bit.

But, yeah.

Q. Can you kind of talk about this golf course a little bit? A lot of players coming through have mentioned the rough and the importance of hitting fairways.

MICHELLE XING: Yeah.

Q. Is that something you agree with as well?

MICHELLE XING: I totally agree with that. The rough is super thick. Especially like when it's going against you it's really hard to get a solid club on it, so hitting fairways is crucial here.

Yeah, for sure.

Q. And then just playing in Canada, how fun is it to put up a good score like this in front of just your home country fans?

MICHELLE XING: It means so much. I'm super grateful to be playing this tournament. I got in pretty late so just to be here, I'm already very happy. And then to see all the support, it makes me like feel so warm.

Q. Michelle, what would it mean to you to make the cut here?

MICHELLE XING: It would mean a lot. You know, I played this tournament a couple time before. I've been trying, like I've been close before, but I haven't done it yet.

As an amateur, like that's one of my biggest goals, is to make the cut at an LPGA event, especially when it's in Canada. So, yeah, it would mean a whole lot.

Q. I mean, I think both you and Anna came in at minus-5. Clairey at minus-2. Can you describe what's happening amongst we'll call it young women's golf talent right now?

MICHELLE XING: I think we have a great program first of all, and like the coaches, there is so much support surrounding us which definitely helps us put up good results.

To have that constant support on the course, whether it's coaching or simply being there, it definitely helped, yeah.

Q. And you played in this a couple times before, so, you know, you're a Canadian playing in the Canadian tournament. Can you compare how you feel going into this one compared to maybe your first one?

MICHELLE XING: I definitely feel more comfortable. I remember when I was playing my first one I was very, very nervous, like shaking nervous, but this definitely feels like a little more familiar to me now.

And like just being around the crowds, you know, them supporting Canadians, it feels a lot more comfortable.

Q. And how are the bugs out there in?

MICHELLE XING: Bad. Bad. Look at my arms. I have gotten bit all on the front side but none on the back. Fingers crossed.

Q. Is that another reason to stay out of the rough?

MICHELLE XING: Yes, yes.

Q. When all of a sudden bunch of young Canadians who are sort of in the mix every week sort of the feeding off each other, what does that do in terms of raising the bar and contributing to the confidence level?

MICHELLE XING: I think it's like a huge factor. Like we're always -- we're such good friends. We're always around each other supporting each other, like celebrating each other when we have good rounds, being there for each other when we have bad rounds or bad tournaments.

But also like that competitive drive also, because you want to play well. But at the same time, you're like, you have your friend's support. So it's definitely very, very --

Q. Among you guys you've had some big wins over the last year. Is there a bit of a swagger now when a Canadian girl walks on the golf course?

MICHELLE XING: I think there has always been. (Laughter.) No, I'm not sure. Like I think just being proud to represent Canada, that's pretty cool on its own.

But, yeah. I don't know. Those extra wins help.

Q. They like to say that this is kind of the Brooke effect; is there some truth to that?

MICHELLE XING: Definitely. Definitely. She's a role model for all of us. My locker is like two down from hers and when I walked in I was like, oh, my gosh. Then I saw her warming up in the locker room like two days ago and I was like, oh, my gosh, it's Brooke.

But, yeah, definitely.