LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla – This week, Brooke Henderson was just hoping to work out a few kinks from the off-season. She spent part of her time off back home in Smiths Falls. She dropped the puck at an Ottawa Senators game. She played in a few charity golf tournaments. Monday, she got back to work. Thursday, she fired an opening round 6-under par, 65.
It’s probably safe to say the rust has been knocked off.
The Canadian went low on day one at the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions at Tranquilo Golf Club, where she moved into a share of the first round lead with Eun-Hee Ji.
“I was doing well today, and you're making putts. That's all you can really ask for,” Henderson said about her 25 putts on day one. “I'll just keep it going over the weekend.”
For anyone who follows the major champion, it should come as no surprise to see her name at the top of the leaderboard. Henderson received a sponsor exemption, one of only a handful given to players on the LPGA Tour during the last two years, to compete in this event in its former status on the PGA Tour Champions. Last year, Henderson was the low LPGA finisher, posting rounds of 65-67-68 in the 54-hole event to finish T7, which was better than more than half of the PGA Tour Champions members in the field.
“Knowing that I played well out on this golf course also gives me some confidence, especially when we’re playing up a little bit shorter too,” Henderson said Thursday. “That’s nice. It gives me a little break.”
In 2018, the course played more than 6,600 yards. Thursday, the layout was 6,507 yards. Henderson had only one flaw on her scorecard, a bogey at the par 4, 2nd hole, which ultimately served as the jumpstart she needed.
“After that bogey on two, I was like ‘uh oh. I need to get things going,’” Henderson said. “Made a nice par save on the par 3 next hole and after that I started making a lot of birdies.”
Henderson recorded seven birdies including five over her closing stretch to match the 65 she opened with at this same event last year.
“Playing this tournament two years in the past really helped out a lot,” Henderson said Thursday. “I recognize a lot of the people. They recognize me. It’s just something that makes me a little more comfortable out here.”
Thursday, Henderson played alongside NBA All-Star Ray Allen and the CEO of Diamond Resorts, Mike Flaskey.
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