BROOKE’S TRIUMPH
Having shot a final-round 7-under-par 65 on Sunday, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls becomes the first Canadian in 45 years to win the CP Women’s Open.
After sinking a three-foot putt in the light rain to secure her place in Canadian golf lore, Brooke Henderson was showered with champagne as the crowd serenaded her with an impromptu rendition of O Canada.
“Those are things that I’ll remember forever,” Henderson said after capturing the CP Women’s Open title Sunday for her seventh career LPGA win. “This is probably the trophy I’ve wanted the most. To finally be able to hold it … it’s just amazing.”
It was a storybook end to a historic week at Wascana Country Club as Henderson became just the second Canadian to win the national championship and the first since Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973.
Prior to competing in her seventh open, Henderson spoke openly about what it would mean to hoist the elusive CP trophy on home soil. That talk turned to decisive action as Henderson seemed to be on a mission from the opening tee-off, riding that momentum all the way to the final hole.
If she didn’t believe in destiny before Sunday ’s triumph, she does now.
“I definitely feel like it was meant to be this week,” said Henderson, who lost two grandfathers earlier this year, but noted Sunday that “I really think they were helping me today” from above.
“Everything just kind of seemed to fall my way. I feel like when you win on the LPGA Tour it is so difficult that you kind of need those breaks and you kind of need that feeling that it’s yours. I had that this week, which is really cool. It’s just amazing and a dream come true.”
Henderson hit the ground running this week with back-to-back 6-under-par 66s, followed by a 70 on Saturday. The 20-year-old native of Smiths Falls, Ont., saved her best for last, firing a 7-under 65 to finish with a four-day total of 21-under 267.
That was good for a four-stroke victory over American Angel Yin.
“I think I put up a good fight,” said Yin, who endured temperatures that topped out at around 14 C. “It was really hard for me in the beginning. It was just too cold for me and my body wasn’t adjusting. By the back nine, I adjusted to it. I kind of got it going, but Brooke was playing extremely well.”
Although she had hoped to take a late run at Henderson, Yin didn’t mind tipping her cap to the Canadian phenom, who was the clear headliner in a field of the world’s top female golfers.
Henderson gushed all week about the support she received from massive galleries that only grew as the tournament progressed — regardless of the weather.
In the end, she didn’t let her fans down.
“Honestly, it’s great,” said Yin. “It’s great for golf in Canada and it’s great for her, too. There were people shouting her name left and right since the first hole — nine o’clock in the morning. I bet you she feels pressure, but she’s used to it. She handled it pretty well and she finished the job.”
Not only did Henderson overcome the pressure, she also weathered everything Mother Nature had to throw at her. Day 1 began with a blistering heat and dead calm, after which the wind picked up and temperatures began to cool.
With rain in the forecast and the threat of a thunderstorm, the final round was pushed up.
The final group teed off at 9 a.m. and the rain stayed away until just before noon. There was a steady shower for the rest of the afternoon, but Henderson, who entered the day with a one-shot lead, refused to let it dampen her focus or slow her momentum.
“It was basically all four seasons, except for snow,” she said with a laugh. “That definitely made it a lot more challenging. We really adjusted extremely well to all the different conditions.”
As a result, the pressure had subsided when Henderson sunk a gimme on her final putt. It was followed by elation and relief as she took a deep breath and soaked it all in.
“It’s just amazing to be able to win this for all of Canada and for my family,” added Henderson. “I think it’ll take a little while to fully sink in. I’m the national champion, so it’s pretty cool.”
When Brooke Henderson sank her final putt on the 18th hole to win the CP Women’s Open, the first such triumphant for a Canadian player in 45 years, her father Dave ran onto the course and started to shower her with champagne.
He said after the victory Sunday that he then congratulated his daughter and told her what an unbelievable feat she had just accomplished.
“I’m sure it will take a lot of years for that to sink in with Brooke and for her to reflect on it,” Dave said.
“It’s a momentous occasion and history was set here today at Wascana Country Club.”
Brooke shot a final-round 7-under 65 for a 21-under 267 total and four-shot victory over American Angel Yin.
It’s the first time a Canadian has won the national open since Jocelyne Bourassa was victorious in Montreal in 1973.
“I tell you, golf in Canada just grew,” Dave said.
“It grew across the country in every capacity today.”
Brooke hit four birdies in a row at one point on the back nine to pull away.
Brook’s sister and caddie Brittany said that she was trying to hold in tears before the final putt that sealed the victory.
“I didn’t want to start celebrating too early and I think she didn’t either even though we were up three going into the last hole. It’s golf and anything can happen,” Brittany said.
“Until that last putt went in, we didn’t really believe it. But now it’s just amazing.”
Brooke said that she thought of her family as she claimed victory and all the hard work that they’ve put in to help her along the way.
She added that winning the title was a “big dream and a big goal for all of us.
“I thank God for this win and just the many opportunities that I’ve been given,” Brooke said. “My grandfather passed away this summer and I really think they were helping me today. The was a big win for our family.”
It was the seventh career LPGA Tour win for the 20-yearold from Smiths Falls, Ont., and second victory this season.
The win also moved her one behind Sandra Post’s record for all-time victories by a Canadian.
“I don’t think anybody could have predicted that,” Dave said.
“We were just plugging along and, good lord willing, we’ve got that many so far.”