Brooke Henderson becomes 1st Canadian woman in 45 years to win national golf title

Brooke Henderson was reminded all week of what was at stake at the CP Women’s Open.

She knew about the 45-year Canadian victory drought at the tournament, the pressure of playing on home soil, the list of the LPGA Tour’s finest players who were nipping at her heels.

Henderson wasn’t fazed by any of it. She was aggressive from the start of Sunday’s final round and played like someone on the chase instead of in the lead.

It was a plan that worked to perfection at the Wascana Country Club as Henderson rolled to a four-shot victory over American Angel Yin.

“This was like the first time ever that I’ve played my absolute best in front of the hometown crowd and on home soil,” Henderson said. “It’s just a great learning experience, and it has a really happy ending.”

A run of four straight birdies on the back nine set up a nice cushion for Henderson, who could enjoy the walk up No. 18 as the crowd roared her arrival.

After a monster drive, her 69-yard approach shot landed on the green and rolled right up near the hole. She finished her 7-under-par 65 in style by hitting hit the three-foot birdie putt to send the packed gallery into a tizzy.

“I said to Brooke yesterday, I said ‘Show me those goalie eyes,”‘ said Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Lorie Kane. “I think as Canadians we know what that means. She stood up to the challenge and here we are.”

Henderson raised her arms in the air in victory and hugged her sister Brittany, who was on her bag all week. Their ecstatic father, Dave, ran on to the green and doused them in champagne.

The crowd started belting O Canada as Henderson was mobbed by friends, family and other players.

“Ten minutes from when I hit my second shot in on 18 to when I made that putt and when the celebrations all happened, those are the things that I’ll remember forever,” Henderson said.