But during an opening round at the CP Women’s Open in Ottawa where Canada’s winningest golfer couldn’t seem to buy a sport after a hot start, public support never wavered. “It’s OK, Brooke,” shouted one fan after Henderson three-bogeyed her fifth hole. “You’re the best Canada has,” shouted another as Henderson stopped and signed autographs following her round. Henderson finished with a 2-under 69 at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, a course located about an hour north of her hometown of Smiths Falls, Ont. “It’s so crazy and so cool to have so much support,” Henderson said. “I mean, I know I’m close to home, but to see so many people watching is just an amazing opportunity. I’m just trying to enjoy it and play a little bit better.” After opening with three birdies in three holes, the Canadian squared off. He managed just two more birdies compared to three bogeys the rest of the way. While her ball striking was excellent throughout, Henderson’s short game let her down at times. “I feel like I hit the ball too close today. Maybe the putter wasn’t as hot on the back nine. I feel like I could have gone too low, so it’s a little disappointing, but at the same time, under par, and I feel like things it’s OK and I’ll play better tomorrow,” Henderson said. Henderson sits in a tie for 51st, looking up at three other Canadians on the leaderboard. Toronto amateur Lauren Zaretsky, who rallied from an ace on the fifth hole, was 3-under, while Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., and Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., were each at 4-under. under. Twelve-year-old Lucy Lin of Vancouver – the youngest player ever to qualify for this tournament – shot a 3-over 74. South Africa’s Paula Reto was first after the first round, shooting a 9-under 62. WATCHES | Szeryk tied for Canadian at 4-under:
Maddie Szeryk leads the Canadian morning wave at the CP Women’s Open
Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., carded a 4-under 67 to lead Canadians in the morning wave during the first round of the CP Women’s Open in Ottawa.
“This is the stuff dreams are made of”
However, it was clear who the crowd came to see. The 24-year-old Henderson’s 12 wins and two major titles are unmatched in Canadian history. One of those wins came at the 2018 CP Women’s Open in Regina — a moment that Brittany Henderson, Brooke’s sister and best friend, said stands out in her seven years on the bag. Only one thing could be better. “For [Brooke] to do it even closer to home in Ottawa would be pretty amazing,” Brittany said before this week’s tournament. It wasn’t until last month at the Evian Championship in France that a solid claim to the title of best Canadian golfer was within reach. Brooke took the lead into the weekend, becoming the first LPGA player to open a major with two rounds of 64. But Saturday saw her fall back into the group, and Sunday was nearly disastrous when an early four pushed her out of the lead. entirely. “I told her, ‘This is the stuff dreams are made of.’ And I mean it,” Brittany said. “I was having so much fun. Even though it’s intense and you’re serious out there. But I was having so much fun just being in that position.” Fans wave signs bearing Brooke Henderson’s face. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) Despite a bower on the next hole, Brook made three of five and finally fought back to win by sinking a 10-foot putt on 18. It’s the same mindset the Hendersons hope to carry over Friday in Ottawa and, if all goes well, into the weekend. At this point, the sisters have plenty of experience on the golf course together. When they were kids, they played games where the winner got chocolate milk or just didn’t have to wash the dishes. It was a sibling rivalry that quickly became even despite Brittany’s age advantage. They broke their home course record for time in a day apart from each other. “I feel like it was a healthy competition and it made us good competitors on the golf course. But I was six and a half years older than her, so I felt like she was always really trying to keep up with me. Which is a difficult task when you’re a lot younger,” Brittany said. By 2015, each had turned professional—Brittany after finishing college at Coastal Carolina University and Brooke at just 17 years old. Both were mentored by their father, Dave Henderson, and the sisters provided for each other whenever possible. Brooke Henderson stands with her father Dave Henderson during play at the CP Women’s Open Pro-Am tournament on Wednesday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) But when Brooke won her first professional tournament that year, they realized that if they worked together, the stakes could grow from chocolate milk to millions of dollars. Paul Vaillancourt, a former pro at Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club who spent time with the Hendersons as children, said Brooke “doesn’t like to lose.” “It doesn’t have the most classic golf swing you see out there. I mean, it definitely has a lot of strengths,” he said. “But I think it’s her attitude of just wanting to put that ball in the hole that has always made her so successful.”
Humble but competitive
Hearing people describe Brook, the former goaltender, brings to mind some classic Canadian hockey stereotypes. “She’s so charming, happy. If I asked her to do little things like pick the line or clear the clubs, she was always one of the top ones to do that,” Vaillancourt recalled. Golf Canada CEO Laurence Applebaum said he “has an off-the-charts golf IQ. He has a competitiveness that’s so exciting. And it’s only been seen by the greatest players of all time.” Added marketing director Lisa Ferkul: “She has a certain humility about her that I think Canadians have. And so I think that patriotism makes her really special because she represents our entire nation.” Brooke and Brittany now live about 15 minutes away from each other in Southwest Florida. Despite her husband’s best efforts, Brittany hasn’t played in a few years – she says her competitive streak would suffer when she inevitably misses a foul or two. “Brittany was very talented. Personally, I feel like she could probably be in the top 30 herself on the LPGA Tour. That’s my opinion,” Vaillancourt said. Brooke said she hopes Brittany stays in her purse “for a long time.” “Just being able to travel the world together, it’s been a super fun trip. She’s my best friend and works hard for me on and off the trail,” Brooke said. The sisters have lifted trophies all over the world, from France to Hawaii to Saskatchewan. But here in Ottawa, it’s the closest to home that can mean the most.
