Photo credit: LPGA via Getty Images
At just 21, Brooke Henderson may already be the most decorated Canadian golfer in history. She is also the defending Canadian Women’s Open champion and looking to defend her title this weekend.
Henderson was born in Smiths Falls, a small town an hour drive south of Ottawa. Now, she is one of the world’s top golfers and a shining example in Canadian sport. She has won several global tournaments in her career but one particular victory from a year ago stands out.
Henderson won last year’s Canadian Women’s Open at the Wascana Country Club in Regina, Saskatchewan, becoming the first Canadian since 1973 to win the Canadian-hosted tournament. Jocelyne Bourassa remains the only other Canadian to win the Canadian Women’s Open. Hence, no Canadian winner has successfully defended her trophy.
This year’s event is hosted at the Magna Golf Club in Aurora, Ontario. It is the first time the course has hosted the tournament.
Last week, LPGA tour commissioner Mike Wahn touted Henderson’s performance and the buzz it created at last year’s Canadian Women’s Open.
“If I had 150 Brooke Hendersons, I could own the sporting world,” said Wahn.
In 2019, Henderson is eighth in the Rolex World Rankings. She also has two tournament wins and eight top-10 finishes so far this season.
She also has a major under her belt, the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship, and her victory at this year’s Meijer LPGA Classic gave her nine career tour wins, the most by any Canadian golfer in a major professional tour.
Henderson may be in the spotlight this weekend, but an incredible group of 15 other Canadian women will also be competing.
The Canadian Women’s Open begins Thursday morning. Henderson tees off at 7:59 a.m., looking to defend her title and inspire Canadians all over again.