Henderson dedicates win to victims of Broncos crash

KAPOLEI, HAWAII For the final two days of the Lotte Championship, it was clear that the only player who could beat Brooke Henderson was Brooke Henderson.

She wasn’t about to let it happen Saturday at windy Ko Olina Golf Club, where she won by four shots.

The native of Smiths Falls, Ont., was too talented, and she had some very important people to play for, dedicating her victory to those involved in the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus crash in Saskatchewan.

“It’s extremely sad, a terrible tragedy what happened up there,” Henderson said. “I know it kind of affected my whole country. Everybody really took it kind of personally. For all the survivors that are still fighting through it and all the ones that have passed away, I want to show them that we’re here for them and we’re supporting them. They’re always going to be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Canadian golfers and their caddies wore green and gold ribbons at the tournament this week to honour the victims of the April 6 crash.

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp finished in a tie for 44th at 4-over.

Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., and Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., were in a group tied for 50th at 5-over.

Henderson, 20, won her sixth LPGA Tour title, leaving her just two short of Sandra Post for most wins by a Canadian player.

She collected US$300,000, giving her nearly US$500,000 this year and US$4 million in her threeyear career.

“Mentally I was in a great spot this week,” Henderson said.

“I missed a couple putts … but I think to recover from that and kind of put it in the past and then go out and make some more birdies (was key). And, being the leader since early Thursday, that does add a little of pressure.”