Medicine Hat News

Henderson earns LPGA membership in style

- JIM MORRIS

COQUITLAM, B.C. After Brooke Henderson was denied early admittance into the LPGA Tour’s qualifying school, the Canadian teenager gave commission­er Michael Whan several reasons to change his mind.

Henderson put together a string of impressive results in LPGA events this year despite having to rely on sponsors’ exemptions or qualificat­ion just to play. And two days after she cruised to her first Tour victory at last weekend’s Cambia Portland Classic, Henderson was finally granted full LPGA membership.

“It’s an opportunit­y that not a lot of people get,” the 17-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., said Tuesday before shooting a practice round at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open. “I can start living my dream today.”

Having a full membership means Henderson won’t have to play Monday qualifying tournament­s for the rest of the season. She faced having to qualify because she had exhausted all six of her sponsors’ exemptions.

“It’s a little bit surreal,” said Henderson. “The last couple of days have been an amazing journey.

“I’m still going to play my own game and go out there and do what I have always done. Just to know I have a place to play now any week I want to, and I have full status for at least a year, is really exciting. I am playing really well right now. Hopefully I can keep it going.”

Henderson had appealed to the LPGA for early admission in the past. She petitioned the organizati­on to allow her to attend qualifying school last year after winning three times as an amateur on the Canadian Women’s Tour, but was turned down.

“That was probably the best thing that could have happened to me,” she said. “It made me realize what I really wanted in life and what I really desired.

“It made me work really hard, made me focus and be more determined.”

LPGA policy states that any woman 18 years of age or over is eligible to apply for Tour membership, but golfers between the ages of 15 and 18 may be granted special permission to apply for membership by petitionin­g directly to the Tour commission­er.

Henderson had the weight of a Tour victory behind this petition, becoming the second golfer in LPGA history to go from Monday qualifier to tournament winner in Portland.

“After reviewing Brooke Henderson’s petition, I have granted her LPGA Tour membership beginning immediatel­y,” Tour commission­er Michael Whan said in a statement. “Brooke truly earned her card, and we are looking forward to Brooke joining our Tour and our family.”

Veteran Canadian golfer Lorie Kane said Henderson deserves to be on the Tour.

“It’s very exciting,” said Kane. “It was only a matter of time before that happened.”

Any money Henderson earns during the remainder of this season will be considered official money. The 10 remaining tournament­s of 2015 will also be considered her rookie season on the LPGA Tour.

The win in Portland moved her to No. 17 in the world rankings, boosted her earnings over US$660,000 and secured her 2016 card.

Henderson can now concentrat­e on playing in the $2.25-million CP Women’s Open, which begins Thursday.

 ?? AP PHOTO/STEVE DYKES ?? Brooke Henderson, of Canada, hits her tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Cambia Portland Classic golf tournament in Portland, Ore., Sunday.
AP PHOTO/STEVE DYKES Brooke Henderson, of Canada, hits her tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Cambia Portland Classic golf tournament in Portland, Ore., Sunday.

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