NAPLES (Fla.) – Brooke Henderson is the most popular golfer at CME Group Tour Championship.
It has much more to do about her part-time living 15 miles from Tiburon Golf Club.
Henderson is a national treasure. Canada is the nation that Henderson is a national treasure. Henderson is the darling of South Florida’s golf courses, with the loudest followings.
Brent McKean is a snowbird who flees Toronto for the warmth of Fort Myers. McKean was among many who wore bright red shirts — the second red wave in our state in the past week. But what really makes McKean stand out are his red and white Loudmouth brand shorts, which feature the maple leaf as the country’s national symbol.
Brooke Henderson’s autograph was very legible from the event last year. Don’t worry; the signature has been preserved by hand-washing the shorts.
Henderson said, “I have the greatest fans ever,” after she shot a 2-over-74 Friday. She is now at 2-under through the first round. It’s amazing to see all of these people out there supporting. It’s great to feel the momentum and adrenaline rush from the first tee.
“It would be nice to make some more birdies and get them on the side of us.”
They are Henderson’s side, regardless of how many bogeys she has on her scorecard (of which there were three Friday). The No. 7 birdie was a surprise. 7 elicited loud cheers from the audience.
Henderson, 25, is Canada’s most beloved and best-known golfer. She has been named the Canadian Press Female Athlete Of The Year three times, and was the winner of her fourth. After her win at the 2022 Evian Championship, she became the first Canadian to win two majors. With 12 LPGA wins, she is the Canadian golfer with the most wins on major professional tours.
Henderson, a Smiths Falls, Ontario native, is the fourth highest money-earner on the LPGA this season, and the sixth in the world rankings.
McKean takes it a step further. He actually goes into hallowed territory. McKean claims she is as well-known and respected as Wayne Gretzky who is undeniably the greatest American athlete.
Henderson smiled just before he pumped the brakes.
She said, “Wayne’s The Great One.” “That’s a hard one to catch up to.”
Henderson may close the gap with a win at this weekend’s LPGA season finale. This comes with a $2,000,000 paycheck. With a win and a few other scenarios, Henderson could be awarded the Rolex Player Of The Year award. This is not a promising sign with Lydia Ko at 13 below at midway. Ko is five shots clear of the field.
Henderson considered that hitting her first tee shot a great accomplishment. With an injury to her upper back, Henderson pulled out of last week’s Pelican Ladies’ Championship. She was unsure if she would be able to play this week, until she got on the range and made adjustments to her swing.
She said, “I’m happy that I’m playing.” “But it’s difficult to shoot two over.”
She believes that those adjustments were able to catch up to her Friday, after a round 68.
She said, “Normally it’s just like autopilot.” “But today, my brain kinda realized that this isn’t how we normally swing, and was compensating a bit.”
Compensation for her swing, and the increased winds that followed a cold front that passed through the state.
She said, “If you’re on (the wind’s) good side, then you can make birdies.” “But I feel like it was a mistake to be on the wrong side. It made the day a bit more difficult and I wasn’t hitting it as hard as I would like. It was hard work.
She signed autographs, then went to the driving range… most likely with some red-shirted fans.
