REGINA, Saskatchewan (AP) — Brooke Henderson became the first Canadian to win the country’s national championship in 45 years, closing with a 7-under 65 for a four-stroke victory Sunday in the CP Women’s Open at chilly and rainy Wascana Country Club.
“It’s amazing, just surreal,” Henderson said. “The crowds here have been so amazing all week, and to finish it off the way I did is really a dream come true.”
The 20-year-old Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ontario, finished at 21-under 267, capping the emotional victory in front of a large, adoring gallery with a short birdie putt on the par-4 18th.
Jocelyne Bourassa is the only other Canadian to win the national championship, accomplishing the feat in 1973 at Montreal Municipal in the inaugural La Canadienne — the event that became the major du Maurier Classic, then the current non-major in 2001.
Henderson earned $337,500 for her second victory of the season and seventh of her LPGA Tour career, one short of Sandra Post’s record for Canadians.
Angel Yin was second after a 68. Jennifer Song (67) was six back at 15 under.
“It’s great for golf in Canada, women’s golf, and it’s great for her, too,” Yin said about Henderson. “People shouting her name left to right since the first hole, like since 9 in the morning. I bet you she feels pressure.”
Henderson opened with rounds of 66, 66 and 70 to take a one-stroke lead over Yin and Nasa Hataoka into the final round. The Canadian played the front nine in 2 under, making four birdies and two bogeys. With steady rain falling as she made the he turn, she birdied Nos. 12-15 and 18 in a bogey-free back nine.
Henderson won the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii in April. The 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA winner also won the New Zealand Women’s Open late last season.
Minjee Lee (68), Amy Yang (68), Su Oh and Austin Ernst tied for fourth at 14 under. Hataoka had a 72 to finish at 14 under with three-time champion Lydia Ko (69), top-ranked defending champion Sung Hyun Park (71), Anna Nordqvist (68) and Maria Torres (68).
