Brooke Henderson battled through the elements all week long and emerged with a five-shot victory for her fifth career LPGA title on Sunday at Windross Farm Golf Course in New Zealand.
The 20-year-old Canadian played her first six holes at 3-under par on Sunday before play was ultimately suspended due to weather and the tournament finish was pushed on to Monday. Brooke went on to play her remaining 12 holes at even par and secured her second win of the season.
“That is the toughest conditions I have played in terms of winds, rain and delays – and how long it took to play a round of golf,” Henderson said. “I feel mentally drained by it but running on adrenaline to know this trophy is mine.”
The result was Henderson’s first win outside of the United States, which makes her the only player with multiple victories in both 2016 and 2017. She noted that her sister and caddie, Brittany, was particularly helpful in judging how to play shots in the tough conditions.
“I really depended on her today and she was awesome today. On 17 she called me off, and then I was able to hit it to 20 feet – that hardest hole on the golf course today. She was awesome with wind direction, how hard I had to hit it.”
Finishing in solo second was China’s Jing Yan, who locked up her best career result on the LPGA this week. Hee Young Park of the Republic of Korea climbed up the leaderboard to finish in solo third and American Jennifer Song shot a final round 68 to capture solo fourth.
Third round leader Belen Mozo of Spain finished in a tie for fifth alongside fellow countrywomen Beatriz Recari and Australian Su Oh. Tournament host Lydia Ko tied for 22nd place at 5-under par.
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