Henderson raises bar with ninth LPGA crown
GRAND RAPIDS: Brooke Henderson fired a two-under-par 69 Sunday to grab a one-stroke victory at the LPGA Meijer Classic, becoming the winningest Canadian golfer in history with her ninth career crown.
Henderson had been level with Sandra Post, former Masters champion Mike Weir and George Knudson on eight career victories until capturing her second Meijer title in three seasons.
“That’s really cool,” Henderson said. “Earlier this year, to get my eighth win and to tie that record was a huge deal for me. Now, to kind of breakthrough, that is awesome.”
It was the second title of the year for the 21-year-old prodigy, who also took the Lotte Championship in April in Hawaii. She has won at least one LPGA title in five consecutive years and at least two in four straight years.
Henderson finished 72 holes at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on 21-under-par 267.
That was enough to edge a pack on 268 that included Australian Su Oh, Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Americans Brittany Altomare and Lexi Thompson.
Henderson, whose caddie is her sister Brittany, took Father’s Day to praise her dad Dave Henderson, the only golf instructor she has ever had, who attended with Brooke’s mother Darlene.
“He’s my coach and he’s always helped both Brit and I to get better and to improve,” Henderson said.
“So we owe a lot to him and we’re happy when he’s able to join us at tournaments.”
LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES
(par-72, USA unless stated)
267 — Brooke Henderson (CAN) 64-64-69-70
268 — Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 68-68-67-65, Su Oh (AUS) 69-69-64-66, Lexi Thompson 70-68-62-68, Brittany Altomare 66-65-69-68
272 — Morgan Pressel 67-70-65-70
273 — Nelly Korda 68-69-69-67, Annie Park 69-65-65-74
275 — Feng Shanshan (CHN) 68-70-70-67, Ryu SoYeon (KOR) 69-68-70-68, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 69-67-69-70, Danielle Kang 69-68-68-70