POST SPORTS
STEADY-AS-SHE- GOES FOR CANADA’S BROOKE HENDERSON.
The s un briefly broke through the cloud cover at the Blythefield Country Club as Brooke Henderson hovered over her birdie putt on the 18th hole in Thursday’s opening round of the Meijer LPGA Classic.
The putt didn’t drop — it was inches from going in the cup — but that’s about the only thing that hasn’t gone Henderson’s way of late.
“A lot of things went right for me and I’m very grateful,” Henderson.
Yes, the sun is definitely shining on the 18- year- old sensation from Smiths Falls, Ont.
Fresh off her victory in last week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Sammamish, Wash., which she won in a one- hole playoff with Lydia Ko, the world’s t op- ranked player, Henderson is the darling of the crowds and the media here in Belmont, Mich.
Don’t expect it to go to her head.
The Henderson who came off the 18th green with a 4- under- par 68 to sit two shots off the lead was the same young woman who wowed them a few weeks ago when the LPGA Tour was in Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Volvik Championship.
Her first stop after signing her scorecard, as it always is, was to present a couple of autographed golf balls to the two official scorers who’d worked with her group.
Before she attended to the awaiting media crowd, it was a crowd of a different ilk who drew Henderson’s attention. She worked her way along the spectators who’d gathered outside the ropes, signing for some, posing for photos and chatting with others.
She assured no one went away unhappy.
“She loves it,” said Henderson’s older sister and caddy Brittany Henderson. “She always wants to give back and support the people that support her.
“I think that’s something really cool.”
It’s also reminiscent of another famous Canadian who we lost a week ago.
Gordie Howe shared the same philosophy toward the public that Henderson displays. He was humble, polite and appreciative of the adulation and had time for everyone.
While it would be patently unfair to compare anyone to the legend that was Mr. Hockey, it’s not a stretch to suggest that like Howe, who burst on to the NHL scene at the same age that Henderson is right now, we are in the midst of the evolution of another Canadian sporting superstar, one who also seeks to represent our country proudly.
SHE ALWAYS WANTS TO GIVE BACK.
After her win Sunday, Henderson hit the road for Portland, Ore., where she won her first tournament last year at 17.
“It’s been a really busy last couple of days,” Henderson said. “I did a media day for the Portland Classic that I won last year, so we drove up there right after I won on Sunday.
“A flight out here Monday afternoon and a busy couple days since. But it’s all been good. “It’s pretty neat.” That win launched a meteoric rise for Henderson, the No. 2- ranked women’s golfer in the world and the 2016 LPGA earnings leader with US$1,069,775.
In Ann Arbor, Henderson felt an inner confidence that she was poised for something significant. She picked a pretty good time to deliver.
“I did for sure,” Henderson said. “It was an awesome week.”
If Henderson needed evidence that fame can be fleeting, it walked right past her Thursday. While she was a media darling, playing partner Ariya Jutanugarn, whose win in Ann Arbor was her third- straight tour victory, waltzed right through the media area with nary an interview request.
Competitor that she is, the thing is Henderson doesn’t require any reminding.
“She’s really excited for the win but I also think she’s excited for the rest of the season,” Brittany said of her sister. “She’s staying humble.”
Winning one major was priceless, but her ultimate goal is to win many more.
“It’s a huge accomplishment and I’m very proud of it but I still have a lot of tournaments that I’d like to get my name on,” Henderson said.
IT’S BEEN A REALLY BUSY LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.