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Mosquitoes Invade LPGA Tour: Golf's Newest, Most Annoying Hazard

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So, the LPGA pros are playing in Edmonton this week. Big tournament. CPKC Women’s Open. Nice course, Royal Mayfair they call it. Got history. Got trees. Got a pretty decent view of downtown. Sounds like a solid gig, right? Wrong. Apparently, the biggest challenge these ladies are facing isn’t a tricky bunker shot or a lightning-fast green. It’s mosquitoes. Yeah, you heard me. Actual, blood-sucking mosquitoes. Like, a plague of them.

This isn’t some minor annoyance. We’re talking about pros, the best in the world, getting absolutely swarmed. Nelly Korda, the number one player, she’s been dealing with it. Said it was a “shock to the system.” A shock? Lady, try playing a round when you’re being treated like a five-star buffet. It’s like they’re not even trying to be subtle about it.

Edmonton's Mosquito Monsoon: What's the Deal?

So, what’s with the sudden insect uprising? Turns out, Edmonton’s been drowning in rain. Not just a little shower, we’re talking record downpours. And what happens when you get a ton of rain? Standing water. And what thrives in standing water? Mosquitoes. Big time. Apparently, the city’s seeing mosquito populations it hasn’t seen since the 80s. Fifteen times more than last year, one report said. Fifteen times! That’s not a stat you want to hear when you’re about to step onto a golf course.

The science is pretty simple, really. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in wet soil or water. Some wait for the perfect flood conditions. Then, bam! They hatch. And within a week, they’re ready for their feast. More rain means more mosquitoes. It’s a blood-sucking summer out there, apparently. Some of these eggs can even sit dormant for up to a decade, just waiting for the right moment. Imagine that. Waiting ten years to get activated by a soggy Tuesday. They’ve been waiting, they’ve been inundated, and now they’re here. And they’re hungry.

It’s not just Korda. Everyone’s talking about it. Kiara Romero, making her pro debut, she’s already planning on wearing a jacket. Said the mosquitoes are “not great.” And they apparently get better later in the afternoon. So, you know, just suffer through the morning swarm. Easy peasy.

Brooke Henderson, the defending champ, she’s saying it’s “very buggy.” She claims she’s not finding it too bad, maybe she’s just used to it. Or maybe she’s just trying to play it cool. Because let’s be honest, nobody’s *used* to being eaten alive by insects. It’s definitely going to be a factor this week, she admits. Yeah, no shit, Sherlock.

Lydia Ko's "Buffet Meat" Strategy: Does It Work?

Then you’ve got Lydia Ko. Hall of Famer. One of the more likable players out there. She’s been trying everything. Spraying like crazy during practice rounds. For the actual tournament? She’s going full armor. Long sleeves, long pants, long socks. No exposed skin. None. She’s known for her sleeveless shirts, but that’s out the window this week. She’s trying not to become “buffet meat” for the mosquitoes. Buff-et meat. What a mental image. I can’t stop picturing a giant mosquito with a tiny bib and knife and fork, eyeing up a golfer.

But here’s the kicker. Even the “don’t show any skin” strategy isn’t foolproof. One player, Huang, said the bugs were biting *through* her sleeves. Through her sleeves! That’s some serious mosquito power. Her arms were pretty red. So, you’re covered up, you’re miserable, and you’re still getting bitten. This is just… pathetic.

It makes you wonder, what are they even doing out there? Is this a golf tournament or some kind of survival challenge? “Survive the swarms, win the trophy!” Could be the new slogan. The logistics alone must be a nightmare. Trying to focus on your swing when there’s a constant buzz around your head and tiny needles jabbing your skin. It’s enough to make anyone lose their cool. And these are professionals. They’re supposed to have ice in their veins. But I bet even they’re getting pissed off.

The Silver Lining? More Focus? Really?

Now, you’d think this would be a complete disaster. Ruining the tournament, making everyone miserable. But wait, there’s a twist. Miyu Yamashita, she shot an eight-under 62. And she thinks the mosquitoes might have actually *helped*. How the hell does that work? She said there are so many bugs, but it makes her more focused on the game. More focused? So the secret to a low score is being under constant attack by bloodsucking insects? Golf Digest is going to have a field day with this. “The Mosquito Method: How to Shoot Under Par by Being Annoyed to Death.”

I don’t know about you, but when I’m getting eaten alive, my focus tends to shift from my backswing to finding the nearest can of bug spray. Or a flamethrower. But hey, if it works for her, good for her. Maybe the rest of the field should start thanking the mosquitoes. “Thanks for the bites, guys. Really helped my putting.” It’s absurd.

This whole situation just highlights how unpredictable golf can be. You prepare for wind, rain, maybe even a rogue squirrel. But mosquitoes? That’s a whole different level of hazard. It’s not in the rulebook. There’s no penalty for being bitten. Though maybe there should be. A “mosquito penalty stroke” for every 20 bites. That would certainly change things.

Imagine the caddies. They’re out there all day, carrying bags, dealing with the heat, and now they’ve got to be mosquito wranglers too. Probably got cans of industrial-strength repellent strapped to their backs. They’re the real MVPs this week. They’re probably getting paid hazard pay. And they deserve it.

Coping with the Buzz: Tips from the Pros (and Us)

So, what’s a golfer to do when faced with this aerial assault? The pros are trying different things, and we can learn from them, even if we’re just weekend warriors battling gnats on our local muni.

  • Douse yourself: This seems obvious, but apparently, not all repellents are created equal. Lydia Ko bought three different kinds and is still unsure which one actually works. So, experiment. Find what works for you. DEET is usually the go-to, but some people prefer natural options. Just make sure it’s potent.
  • Cover up: As Ko tried to do, long sleeves and pants are the first line of defense. Even if they bite through, it’s better than direct skin contact. Think lightweight, breathable fabrics so you don’t overheat. A wide-brimmed hat is also a good idea, not just for sun but for keeping them out of your face.
  • Timing is everything: The mosquitoes apparently get better as the afternoon goes on. This is a bit of a weird one. Usually, they’re worse in the morning and evening. But if they’re saying it gets better, maybe try to get your worst holes in early? Or embrace the late-day swarm and hope for the best.
  • Focus on the game: This is the Yamashita approach. Easier said than done, obviously. But maybe try to channel that annoyance into determination. Every bite is a reminder to hit a good shot. Think of it as extra motivation. “You want my blood? Fine. Here’s an eagle.”
  • Embrace the absurdity: Sometimes, you just have to laugh. This is golf, after all. It’s supposed to be fun. If you’re getting attacked by bugs, you can either get miserable or find the humor in it. Picture yourself as a warrior, defending your territory from the tiny winged invaders.

It’s a bizarre situation, for sure. You travel the world, play the most beautiful courses, and then you get taken down by something you can barely see. It’s humbling, I guess. A reminder that nature, in all its glory, can also be a complete pain in the ass. And for these LPGA pros, this week, that pain is coming in the form of a thousand tiny, itchy bites. Let’s just hope they can find a repellent that works, or at least a good story to tell afterwards. Maybe they’ll even start carrying mosquito nets as part of their tournament gear. Now that would be a sight.

The CPKC Women’s Open is still a serious competition, and these athletes are incredibly resilient. But this mosquito situation? It’s a whole new ballgame. One that involves a lot more swatting than sinking putts. It’s a reminder that even at the highest level of sport, sometimes the biggest challenges aren’t the ones you expect. You can find more about professional golf and its unique challenges on sites like PGATour.com, which often covers the ins and outs of tour life.