Henderson withdraws from U.S. Women’s Open

Canadian star Brooke Henderson withdrew from the U.S. Women’s Open Friday morning to return to Smiths Falls, Ont. because of an illness in the family, said her father Dave in a text message to Postmedia.

Henderson, a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour who was in pursuit of her second major title, withdrew before she teed off for the second round of the major tournament at the Shoal Creek Club.

Brooke Henderson tweeted: “Unfortunately, I needed to withdraw from the US Women’s Open for personal reasons and am headed home to be with my family.”

A second tweet said: “Thanks to the hard-working staff at Shoal Creek and I look forward to another opportunity next year in Charleston! @USGA.”

Henderson notified the USGA Friday morning she was withdrawing and returned to the course to pack up and head home, a USGA spokesperson told Postmedia.

“They asked to keep the details private,” said the spokesperson.

Henderson got off to a shaky start in the first round, which was understandable given what might have been on her mind, but rallied for a 1-over par 73 and was tied for 44th heading into the second round on Friday.

Her normally dependable driver was erratic to start the first round and she found sand off the tee on the first two holes, leading to bogeys. She was 3-over par after four holes. She rallied to play some gritty golf and was 2-under par over her last 14 holes with birdies on the sixth, ninth, 13th and 15th holes to go with bogeys on the seventh and 16th holes.