CHRISTMAS CHILL HELPS HENDERSON
Canadian says she's in a good spot heading into the two-course U.S. Women's Open
It's golf's most gruelling test.
It's the championship that can strike fear in the heart of competitors. It's the tournament fans tune in to simply to watch the world's best players get humbled, even humiliated.
So how is Brooke Henderson handling the pressure of this week's U.S. Women's Open?
With Christmas carols and festive cheer, of course.
“It's been pretty cool,” she said on Wednesday. “I love Christmas music, so hearing it on the way to the course is actually kind of calming and relaxing.”
Six months after its originally scheduled June date, the pandemic-delayed U.S. Women's Open is set to begin today at Champions Golf Club in Houston.
“Normally, by American Thanksgiving I'm putting my feet up and taking a break and getting ready for Christmas, buying gifts and everything. So it's been a bit of a juggling act,” Henderson said.
There will be no fans in attendance, and because of December's short days, the first two rounds of the tournament will use both of the club's golf courses, Jackrabbit and Cypress Creek. Once the 36-hole cut has been made, the final two rounds will be played exclusively at Cypress Creek.
“I'm just trying to learn these golf courses in a limited amount of time,” Henderson said. “And trying to understand them as best you can and get a good strategy.”
The Canadian star planned to spend Wednesday evening and early morning today continuing her cram study session of the two courses with Brittany, her sister and caddy. Players often hope to save their energy early in a U.S. Open week, but that wasn't possible as Henderson increased her practice schedule to split time between Jackrabbit and Cypress Creek.
She begins her tournament at 10:37 a.m. local time today on the Jackrabbit course. Both courses are expected to play very long in the softer winter conditions, so Henderson's length off the tee should be an advantage.
Most players expect par to be a good score, and possibly a winning score come Sunday afternoon.
Adding to the difficulty of pre-tournament preparations are Cypress Creek's massive greens.
With so many possible hole locations at the USGA's disposal, several players have said it has been challenging to know what shots and putts to practise.
There is plenty of history at Champions Club, which was established in 1957 by major champions Jackie Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret.
Texas native Ben Hogan was a frequent guest, and Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and Mike Weir are among players to have raised trophies at the Houston course.
“The atmosphere at a major championship is still great,” Henderson said.
“Definitely missing the energy and adrenalin from the fans, but we've missed that all year. I saw the trophy on display and it gives you chills just to see it.”
The Smiths Falls, Ont., native took a conservative approach to golf's restart after the tour's COVID-19 shutdown, skipping the first three events and not playing a tournament for seven months from February to August. Henderson said she spoke with her team early in the pandemic and made the decision to focus on the majors.
Despite the layoff and playing just eight times, Henderson is sixth in the world rankings and comes into the week in good form with four consecutive topsix finishes, including a tie for second at the ANA Inspiration and a sixth-place finish at the women's PGA Championship.
Good finishes at major championships are nothing new for the 23-year-old, but with an already astounding resume of nine LPGA wins and 53 top 10s, the 2016 women's PGA champion has eyes on winning her second major.
Henderson is the only player on the LPGA with multiple wins in each of the past four seasons.
She is unlikely to keep that impressive streak alive with just this week and next week's season-ending Tour Championship left on the schedule, but she feels good about her game and her chances to make more history at the U.S. Women's Open.
“I feel like this would be the best Christmas present I could ever give myself.”