Brooke Henderson makes Canadian golf history in Hawaii

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario ties Canadian record with eighth LPGA Tour title at LOTTE Championship

It’s been quite a remarkable few weeks for Canadian golf. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ontario went from Monday qualifier at the Valero Texas Open two weeks ago to winning the tournament and getting the last spot in the Masters. On the same day that Conners was winning, Oakville’s Nicole Gal won her age group at the Drive, Chip and Putt at Augusta National.

The best was saved for early on Sunday morning, however, when Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ontario made her case to be the best Canadian golfer of all-time. Henderson shot a final-round 70 at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii, winning the tournament for the second straight year by four shots over Eun-Hee Ji at 16-under.

The win is Henderson’s eighth career title on the LPGA Tour, tying Sandra Post, Mike Weir and George Knudson for most by a Canadian professional golfer. Post won her last title in 1981. Weir, although he still makes occasional appearances on the PGA Tour, hasn’t won in 12 years (Knudson died in 1989). Henderson, though, is still just 21 years old and has the opportunity to obliterate the record with every start she makes.

After the tournament, Henderson admitted she never imagined she would ever get to the level of those Canadian legends. “No. It’s just been surreal the last few years,” she told Golf Channel. “It’s just really amazing to get this win to tie Sandra, to tie Mike Weir too, which is really amazing.”

Henderson shouldn’t have to wait long to own the record all by herself. She’s now won a tournament each of the last five years on the LPGA Tour. Making her 100th career start this week, this was her 39th top-10 finish. Her previous title came last August when she won before a home crowd and became the first Canadian in 45 years to capture the Canadian Women’s Open.

On a windy day in Oahu, Henderson played nearly mistake-free golf Sunday to pull away from the field. Her only blemish on the round was a bogey at the opening hole. She came back with birdies at the third and fifth holes and made the turn leading by three shots. At the 11th, a short par-four, Henderson attempted to hit the green with her drive. The ball appeared to be heading toward a greenside bunker, but she caught a break when it deflected off a rake and close to the green. Henderson birdied the hole and parred the remaining seven holes to finish the tournament.

“Today was kind of a battle out there,” she said. “It was just so windy. I’m just happy that I was able to come out on top.”

Nelly Korda, who came into the final round tied for the lead with Henderson, shot 77 on Sunday to fall to eighth place. Minjee Lee, a shot out of the lead at the start of the round, shot 74 to finish in a tie for third.

It’s too early to predict what effect Henderson’s win will have in her native country. But seeing her make a bit of history on Sunday should inspire a new generation of Canadian golfers, just like Post and Weir inspired a young girl in Smiths Falls to try to equal their success on the golf course.