For the third time this season, Brooke Henderson will sleep on the 36-hole lead at an LPGA event.
“I’ve been in it once or twice earlier in the year, and I think I learned a lot that weekend just about myself and how I face pressure and how I just enjoy the final groups,” Henderson said with a smile. “I’m excited to be in the final group and hopefully Sunday and Saturday I can get some good, solid rounds together.”
Henderson, who dropped a 10-foot birdie putt on her 18th hole of the day to take the outright lead, made the turn in 1-under par but caught fire on the back nine, making four birdies to post a 67 to get to 11-under in the second round of the Cambia Portland Classic.
“I gave myself a lot of great opportunities and just rubbed some edges, but I was happy with 1-under because it was raining and there was a couple other different conditions than yesterday,” Henderson explained. “Then the back nine, especially the last couple holes, I made a lot of birdies and really started to make my climb, which was exciting, and it’s nice to finish with a birdie there on 18, or the 9th hole.”
The 17-year-old says she has learned a lot from her experiences being on top of the leaderboard after 36 holes at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic and Volunteers of America North Texas Shootout where she finished T-3 and T-13 respectively.
“Just to stay within myself and play my own game,” Henderson said. “Playing as an amateur I was used to a lot of people, a lot of media and television and stuff like that, but it’s a little bit different on the LPGA Tour, and I think that’s something that I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with this year. I think if I can just stay patient and play my own game and not focus on outside factors, I think good things will happen.”
In addition to her strong finishes in San Francisco and Dallas, Henderson has a pair of top-5 finishes in major championships this season at the KPMG Women’s PGA and the U.S. Women’s Open and has been getting more comfortable on the LPGA Tour.
“I’ve gotten to know the girls a little bit better, and they’ve been really good to me for the most part, and Alena Sharp has been a huge part of my success this year I would say,” Henderson explained. “Being able to travel with my dad and my sister this week and bunk, who’s been on my bag for the last two days, I have a great support system around me, and I think that’s really helped me.”
Chasing Henderson will be Caroline Masson who carded the low round of the day, an 8-under 64, to climb into solo second at 10-under par. A trio of players - Jenny Shin, Julieta Granada and Candie Kung sit two back of the lead at 9-under par.
82 players made the cut at even par 144.
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