PHENOM HEARS FROM FANS ACROSS CANADA AFTER WIN
Henderson still basking in afterglow of victory in Regina, writes Kristen Anderson.
The outpouring of support from golfers and fans across Canada has been overwhelming for Brooke Henderson after she rewrote history at the CP Women’s Open on Sunday.
But out of all the Canadians showing love for the 20-yearold Smiths Falls, Ont., native, it’s hard to top a congratulatory message from The Great One.
“Wayne Gretzky texted me (Sunday night), so that was pretty cool,” Henderson said with a grin, as she fielded questions from the media at Calgary’s Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, where she was the guest of honour at the second annual Shaw Charity Classic Women’s Day.
“He’s pretty good. Every time I win something big, he texts me, so it’s pretty cool. But the outreach has been amazing, so many people.
“I don’t know how I’m going to thank everybody.”
Gretzky wasn’t the only one who reached out.
Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau sent her a tweet, congratulating her on the victory, as did Canadian golfers Mike Weir, Graham Delaet, Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes, Lorie Kane and Alena Sharp. So did golfing great Gary Player. And Hayley Wickenheiser.
But it’s the entire country that should be thanking Henderson for her inspirational performance after she rolled to a four-shot victory at the Wascana Country Club. The victory ended a 45-year Canadian drought at the tournament and gave Henderson a seventh LPGA Tour victory. She is second only to Sandra Post among Canadians with LPGA victories. Post won eight.
And the group of professional women, Olympic and local athletes, along with other notable females in the Calgary community who were in attendance Monday, were also grateful that Henderson honoured her commitment.
There she was, less than 24 hours off her impressive victory, in Calgary. Tired, but beaming. A vision in bright pink, happily chatting about her experience, cool-as-a-cucumber performance, and life as a bona fide golf star and female role model.
“I didn’t really sleep that well last night,” Henderson said with a chuckle. “I was just really excited and kind of nervous that I didn’t actually win it and that I had to go out and play (Monday). But to win our national championship is incredible and it’s definitely been a dream of mine since I was a little girl.”
Winning the tournament was on her bucket list, no doubt, yet she kept her nerves at a minimum.
A great first shot that led to a birdie on the first hole set the tone for her final round on Sunday. Then, on the back nine, a run of four birdies set her up with a nice cushion and she continued to stay aggressive and hit fairways.
But it was the 18th hole that will be imprinted on her memory.
A great drive.
A 69-yard approach shot to the green.
Then a three-foot birdie putt to solidify her seven-under-par 65 that prompted the Champagne shower.
“That was the first time all day I could take a deep breath and realize I’d actually just won,” Henderson said. “That feeling, and being able to let go because I’d been wanting to win it so badly, that was just an amazing moment. After I made the putt, they sang O Canada and yelled my name. My friends and family rushed out on the green and soaked me with Champagne. I still smell like it (Monday), I’m pretty sure.”
The most impressive part about it all is how Henderson has managed to stay motivated and focused, despite losing both of her grandfathers at separate times this season.
She withdrew after the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open on May 31 to be with her family after Bob Moir died at the age of 81. She lost her other grandfather, Clem Henderson, on Aug. 5 at the age of 85.
“Losing both of my grandfathers, I kind of felt that they were both watching over me (Sunday) and helped me finish so strong,” she said. “They lived great lives, but (their deaths were) sort of unexpected. They were so close together. It was very difficult, but my family is very close and very strong, so I feel like we helped each other a lot.
“Over the last month or so, I think I’ve been playing the best golf I have in a really long time.”
After I made the putt, they sang O Canada and yelled my name. My friends and family rushed out on the green and soaked me with Champagne.