With her sister by her side, Brooke Henderson sets sights on victory near home
It won’t have been the return residence that Brooke Henderson envisioned.
However throughout a primary spherical on the CP Ladies’s Open in Ottawa the place the winningest Canadian golfer ever could not appear to purchase a putt after a scorching begin, the group’s help by no means wavered.
“It is OK, Brooke,” shouted one fan after Henderson three-putted for bogey on her fifth gap.
“You are the most effective Canada’s obtained,” shouted one other as Henderson stopped and signed autographs following her spherical.
Henderson completed with a 2-under 69 on the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Membership, a course situated about one hour north of her hometown of Smiths Falls, Ont.
“It is so loopy and tremendous cool that I’ve this a lot help,” Henderson stated. “I imply, I do know I’m near residence, however to see this many individuals out watching is simply an incredible alternative. Simply making an attempt to soak it in and play slightly bit higher.”
After opening with three birdies in three holes, the Canadian plateaued. She managed simply two extra birdies in comparison with three bogeys the remainder of the way in which.
Whereas her ball-striking was glorious all through, Henderson’s quick recreation let her down at instances.
“I really feel like I hit the ball actually shut at this time. Perhaps the putter wasn’t as scorching on the again 9. I really feel like I may have gone actually low, so it is slightly disappointing, however on the identical time, beneath par, and I really feel like issues are OK and I will play higher tomorrow,” Henderson stated.
Henderson sits tied for 51st, staring up at three different Canadians on the leaderboard. Toronto newbie Lauren Zaretsky, buoyed by an ace on the fifth gap, was 3-under, whereas Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., and Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., have been every 4-under.
Twelve-year-old Lucy Lin of Vancouver — the youngest participant ever to qualify for this event — scored a 3-over 74.
South Africa’s Paula Reto was the chief after the primary spherical, capturing a 9-under 62.
WATCH | Szeryk tied for low Canadian at 4-under:
Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., carded a 4-under 67 to steer the Canadians within the morning wave in the course of the first spherical of the CP Ladies’s Open in Ottawa.
‘That is the stuff goals are product of’
Nonetheless, it was clear who the group got here to see.
The 24-year-old Henderson’s 12 victories and two main titles are unmatched in Canadian historical past.
A kind of wins got here on the CP Ladies’s Open in 2018 in Regina — a second that Brittany Henderson, Brooke’s sister and caddie, stated stands out over her seven years on the bag.
Just one factor may very well be higher.
“For [Brooke] to do it even nearer to residence in Ottawa can be fairly wonderful,” Brittany stated forward of this week’s event.
It was simply final month on the Evian Championship in France when a agency declare to the title of biggest Canadian golfer ever was inside attain.
Brooke took a lead into the weekend by turning into the primary LPGA participant to open a significant with two rounds of 64. However Saturday noticed her fall again to the pack, and Sunday was near-disastrous when an early four-putt pushed her out of the lead totally.
“I stated to her, ‘That is the stuff goals are product of.’ And I am severe,” Brittany stated. “I used to be having a lot enjoyable. Although it is intense and also you’re severe on the market. However I used to be having a lot enjoyable simply being in that place.”
Regardless of a bogey on the following gap, Brooke birdied three of the ultimate 5 and finally fought again to win by sinking a 10-foot putt on 18.
It is the identical mindset the Hendersons hope to hold into Friday in Ottawa and, if all goes properly, via the weekend.
At this level, the sisters have loads of expertise on the golf course collectively.
Once they have been children, they’d play matches the place the winner would get chocolate milk or just not need to do the dishes.
It was a sisterly rivalry that rapidly grew to become evenly matched regardless of Brittany’s age benefit. They broke their residence course report about 12 months to the day other than each other.
“I really feel prefer it was a wholesome competitors and it simply type of made us good opponents on the golf course. However I used to be six and a half years older than her, so I felt like she was all the time actually making an attempt to maintain as much as me, which is a troublesome job if you’re that a lot youthful,” Brittany stated.
By 2015, every had turned professional — Brittany after finishing school at Coastal Carolina College, and Brooke at simply 17 years previous.
They have been each coached by their dad, Dave Henderson, and the sisters caddied for one another each time doable.
However when Brooke gained her first skilled event that 12 months, they realized that in the event that they teamed up, the stakes may enhance from chocolate milk to thousands and thousands of {dollars}.
Paul Vaillancourt, a former professional at Smiths Falls Golf and Nation Membership who frolicked with the Hendersons as children, stated Brooke “does not prefer to lose.”
“She hasn’t obtained probably the most basic golf swing that you simply see on the market. I imply, it is obtained a number of robust factors for positive,” he stated. “However I feel it is her manner of simply eager to get that ball into the opening that is all the time made her so profitable.”
Humble but aggressive
To listen to individuals describe Brooke, the previous goalie, brings to thoughts some basic Canadian hockey stereotypes.
“She’s such a go getter, pleased. If I requested her to do little issues like choose the vary or clear golf equipment, she was all the time one of many prime ones to do this,” Vaillancourt recalled.
Added chief advertising and marketing officer Lisa Ferkul: “She has a sure humility to her that I feel Canadians naturally have. And so I feel that that patriotism actually makes her particular as a result of she represents our complete nation.”
Brooke and Brittany now stay about quarter-hour away from one another in southwest Florida. Regardless of her husband’s finest efforts, Brittany hasn’t performed for a couple of years — she says her aggressive streak would make it laborious when she inevitably misses a fairway or two.
“Brittany was very gifted. Personally, I really feel she may most likely be within the prime 30 on the LPGA Tour herself. That is my opinion,” Vaillancourt stated.
Brooke stated she hopes Brittany stays on her bag “for a very long time.”
“Simply having the ability to journey all over the world collectively, it has been a brilliant enjoyable journey. She’s my finest buddy and works laborious for me on and off the course,” Brooke stated.
The sisters have hoisted trophies throughout the globe, from France to Hawaii to Saskatchewan.
However right here in Ottawa, it is the one closest to residence that will imply probably the most.
