(Vancouver) Fans couldn’t care less about Brooke Henderson’s lackluster performance at the CPKC Women’s Open. She remains their favourite.
Henderson, a native of Smiths Falls, Ont., was greeted with cheers and chants on every hole at Shaughnessy Golf Club on Sunday as she turned in a final card of 68 (-4) to improve her performance at – 2.
Disappointed with her performance at the only LPGA tournament held in Canada, Henderson had good words for the fans, who chanted “Come on Brooke!” or who sang “O Canada” as they followed her on the course.
“It’s phenomenal,” she said. The love, the support, all those people who came to watch. They didn’t care how many shots I played, which is very nice, they were just happy to be there. »
Henderson ultimately posted cards of 75, 68, 75 and 68, a rollercoaster performance that reflected his year littered with ups and downs.
She kicked off the LPGA season with a Tournament of Champions victory on January 19 and had three top 20 finishes during the year. She finished 15th in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on June 22, 12th at the U.S. Open on July 6, and second at the Evian Championship on July 27.
She was, however, unable to avoid the ax in the other three tournaments in July and August until this tournament in Vancouver.
“Overall, when things start to slip you can freak out, and I feel like I did this year,” Henderson said. I’m going in the right direction – I’ve said it a lot this year, but it’s true. »
Henderson is expected to climb to eighth in the LPGA standings on Monday.
Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., is the other Canadian who competed in the weekend rounds. She had her best day on Sunday with a card of 68 (-4). She finished the event at 3.
“I have to keep learning as a veteran, and today I went on the course to have fun,” said Sharp, who was competing at the Canadian Championships for the 18th time. [Saturday], I left the field knowing that I had not had fun. I let the journey get to me. »
Sharp spent most of his season on the Epson Tour, which is inferior to the LPGA. She is ninth in the ranking of financial gains. She said she was encouraged to still be able to compete against the best of the LPGA, present this week in Vancouver.
She now hopes to make a full-time return to the LPGA next season.
“I know I still have what it takes to play,” said the 42-year-old athlete. I had two ordinary rounds, but two other very good rounds on a fairly difficult course.
“I plan to take a week off, and then I have five tournaments to try and get my LPGA card back. »
Henderson and Sharp were two of 15 Canadians entered for the tournament, 10 of them as amateurs. Although most suffered the cut, Golf Canada director Kevin Blue said it was a great opportunity for young players to compete against the best.
“Being in an awkward position is fine,” Blue said. Ask someone who is trying to win a tournament in the last round. They will be uncomfortable. That’s the goal in golf. »
The Canadian finished the tournament in 13th place.
The tournament will be held at the Earl Gray Golf Club in Calgary next year.
