(Vancouver) Brooke Henderson loves the West Coast. She hopes to return the favor at the Canadian Women’s Open this week.
The Ontarian has won four times in the Pacific Northwest and she’s looking forward to a shot at winning a title as the women’s national golf championship returns to Vancouver for the first time in eight years.
“I love this area. I love Vancouver. I love the Pacific Northwest so I’m super excited to be here,” Henderson said Tuesday at Shaughnessy Golf Club. It’s so beautiful. It’s “cool” to be able to bring the best female golfers in the world to the region. Hopefully there will be more supporters to support us and watch us play. »
Shaughnessy is finally hosting the event after it was originally scheduled for 2020.
The only LPGA tournament played in Canada was canceled that year, as well as in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the Ottawa Hunt Golf Club hosted the event.
The Pacific Northwest was gallant for Henderson as she captured her first three career LPGA titles in that region.
“I love the big trees and the way they frame the walkways. That’s exactly what this course offers,” explained Henderson, who won the Cambria Portland Classic in 2015 and 2016 and the PGA Women’s Championship in Washington State in 2016. I love the vibe . It’s just special to be here this week. »
Henderson will face a strong group this week.
Recently crowned world number one, American Lillia Vu will be back after taking two weeks off following her victory at the AIG Women’s Open. This major tournament triumph put her at the top of the rankings and she hopes to continue this momentum.
“I just want to do the same thing and not change anything,” Vu said. I have the feeling that as soon as they get to the top, people put a lot of pressure on them or they try to change completely. I’m just going to play the same way. »
South African Paula Reto returns to the Canadian National Championship to defend her title. She said trying to repeat as champion on courses separated by more than 3,500 kilometers is a unique challenge.
“I really like this course so it’s very good. It’s a bit similar to the one we played last year, she argued. I’m going to try to do my best every day and not think about it too much. »
Ontario’s Maddie Szeryk is the other full-time Canadian on the LPGA Tour to compete.
A total of 15 Canadian women will pitch in the first round of their local tournament. Quebecers Brigitte Thibault and Sarah-Ève Rhéaume are part of the lot.
Europe’s squad for the next Solheim Cup was finalized on Tuesday, with six captain’s picks announced. The international tournament sees a team of European women golfers compete against a team made up of American women, much like the Ryder Cup, on the men’s side.
The Canadian Women’s Open serves as the final qualifying event for Team USA. Vu is eager to see who will join her in the roster when the captain’s selections are announced on Monday.
“I’m really excited because I know all the girls and I know how good they are,” said Vu, who was an automatic selection based on her world ranking. It makes me happy that we can compete for our country with such a strong team. »
An air quality advisory for the southwest region of Metro Vancouver was lifted early this morning and further improvement is expected overnight. The smoky conditions of the ongoing wildfires in British Columbia had made the air quality advisory necessary.