Henderson in hunt at LPGA season finale

Brooke Henderson stumbled out of the gates but flew across the finish line on Friday in Round 2 of the LPGA’S season- ending CME Group Tour Championship.

The Canadian star began her day with a double bogey before ending it with five birdies in seven holes for a 5- under- par 67. She heads to the weekend at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., at 9-under and in a tie for third, three shots behind leader Sei Young Kim. Caroline Masson is second at 10-under.

“I wasn’t hitting it that great, but then on the back nine I made a long putt on 12 and that really started to get things rolling,” Henderson said after her round. “I had a great crowd out there today, as well, which is always really fun, and I started to make some birdies there, and it just seemed like I could make everything.”

The tour championship has changed this year with all the points from the season-long Race to CME Globe wiped clean, creating a winner- takes- all format. Every golfer in the 60- player field has a chance to win the Us$1.5-million cheque.

Henderson’s double bogey on the first hole was the only blemish on her scorecard, as the 22-year-old made seven birdies on the day. The native of Smiths Falls, Ont., has a condo just outside of Naples so the event is something of a home game for her.

“I love playing here,” she said. “A lot of snowbirds, a lot of Canadians down here, and a lot of friends that we made here in the Naples area close to where I live. It’s always great to be out here, and this is a great golf course that suits my game.”

The PGA Tour is in Sea

Island, Ga., where five Canadians are in the field at the RSM Classic.

David Hearn is the top Canuck at 7- under after two rounds. He is seven shots back of leader Tyler Duncan, who shot a sizzling 9- under 61 on Friday to get take a two-shot lead at 14-under.

Mackenzie Hughes is 6-under, and Presidents Cup International team member Adam Hadwin is 4- under. Nick Taylor and Michael Gligic missed the cut.