Brooke Henderson captured her first LPGA victory in style, cruising to an eight-shot victory at the Cambia Portland Classic.
“It’s amazing,” Henderson said with a smile. “It’s such an unbelievable thing it’s not even real life yet I don’t think.”
Henderson, who entered the day with a five-shot lead made three birdies on a bogey-free front nine to push her advantage to seven strokes.
“I tried to just keep making more birdies,” Henderson explained. “I had a number in mind, and I was trying to chase after it, and I was trying not to watch the girls I was playing with, Sandra and Morgan, or any other players.”
The 17-year-old, who finished the event in a tournament record 21-under par, becomes the first Canadian to win on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane at the LPGA Takefuji Classic in 2001 and was greeted with a champagne and water shower on the 18th hole following her win by countrywoman Alena Sharp as well as her family.
“To get that and for Canadian fans and Canadian support that I’ve received over the last couple months and last couple years is unbelievable, so I’m happy to bring one home for Canada,” Hendserson said.
Henderson will quickly bring it back to Canada as she is competing in next week’s CP Women’s Open in Vancouver.
“The Canadian support has been unbelievable and the Canadian media have been really following me,” Henderson said. “Even the last couple days I received a lot of Twitter messages and text messages and emails, just cheering me on and wishing me the best. I’m sure my phone is blowing up pretty badly right now. But yeah, you mentioned Lorie Kane being the last Canadian winner on the women’s Tour, I think this will be a big deal back home.”
Candie Kung, Ha Na Jang and Pornanong Phatlum finished in a three-way tie for second at 13-under par.
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