Brooke Henderson plays with a passion that would melt even the northern-most corners of her native Canada. Choking down several inches on her driver, she swings the big stick on holes so daunting others opt for a safer club. It’s a formula that has made Henderson a consistent winner on the LPGA and now recognition as one of the Tour’s best players of the last decade.
In a land where women have won Olympic gold in hockey, skiing, speed skating, figure skating and curling, it says a lot that Henderson has been Canadian Press Female Athlete of the Year three times. It says even more that she's only 22 years old. And now, Henderson is in the Final Foursome for LPGA Player of the Decade along with Inbee Park, Lydia Ko and Yani Tseng.
That Henderson has accomplished enough in only five years to be in the mix for this honor raises questions as to what glories lay ahead for the young woman from the tiny town of Smith Falls in eastern Ontario. She’s already the most accomplished golfer – male or female – in Canadian history and, as voting for Player of the Decade has proven, one of its most popular athletes.
When Henderson won the Meijer Classic in June – the third time she successfully defended an LPGA title – it was her ninth Tour victory, moving her past Sandra Post, Mike Weir and George Knudson for the most wins by a Canadian on either the LPGA or PGA Tour.
“That's really cool," Henderson said at the time. “Earlier this year to get my eighth win and to tie that record was a huge deal for me. To now kind of break through that is awesome.” With caddie/sister Brittany and mother Darlene looking on, father Dave sprayed Brooke with champagne to celebrate.
“It's really special," said Henderson, whose team is a family affair, her father serving as coach in addition to her sister as caddie. “I'm so happy that both my mom and my dad can be out here to watch my sister and me win this. It's always special when they're here, especially on Father's Day.”
Henderson has won every year since turning pro in 2015 and the last four seasons she has won twice in each, including a major title at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship when she defeated Lydia Ko in a playoff.
One of the most-active players on Tour, Henderson has averaged 29 tournaments the last four season, during which she has been no worse than sixth on the money list and has moved up the scoring charts from 11th to 10th to fourth and then third this year.
Henderson burst on the scene dramatically in 2015, winning the first event she played as a professional at the Four Winds Invitational on the Epson Tour in June. In July, she was fifth at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Then in August, she Monday qualified for the Cambia Classic, where she won by eight strokes to become only the second qualifier in LPGA history to capture a title, earning Tour membership at the age of 17.
And just as Henderson is not one dimensional as a player – showing a wide variety of shots beyond her bold belief in the driver – she is also not one dimensional as a person, following her faith to a variety of charitable activities.
An active participant in fundraising events hosted by other players as well as her own charities, Henderson was voted the 2019 Founders Award recipient, given annually to a member who, in the opinion of her peers, best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA through her behavior and deeds.
“I know we as a Tour will continue to do our best to honor all 13 Founders and act as they so courageously and inspiringly did,” Henderson said at the Rolex Awards Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla., during the CME Group Tour Championship. “What makes this award even more special is that it was voted on by my playing peers on the LPGA.
“Thank you to all of you,” she said. “I have made many great friends over my five years on Tour. I love being able to live my dream playing out there to experience this journey along so many talented golfers who are also great people.”
Based on her accomplishments in just those five years, Henderson has earned a spot in the Final Foursome for LPGA Player of the Decade. And she’s young enough that she could be in consideration when voting takes place after the next decade. That’s all just part of what makes Henderson a special player and unique person.
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