After missing the cut at the AIG Women’s Open three weeks ago (the first missed cut of her career in a major championship), nine-time LPGA Tour winner Brooke Henderson bounced back in a big way with a tie for second at the ANA Inspiration.
Henderson recorded five final-round birdies around the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club en route to a 3-under 69. Even a double bogey at the par-4 13th didn’t slow Henderson, who forced a three-way sudden-death playoff with birdie on the 72nd hole.
“I definitely played really well this week, which is a really nice feeling and it gives me confidence moving forward,” Henderson said after par on the first playoff hole. “Mirim [Lee] played great today and so did Nelly [Korda]. It was fun. You are playing against the best in the world out there.
“It was tough to lose that way. I felt like I missed a lot of putts, especially the final round where I feel like maybe it could have been a different story. Mirim and Nelly played great and I fought my way around, so I am happy.”
NELLY KORDA TAKING POSITIVES FROM MAJOR WEEKEND EXPERIENCE
After leading the three previous rounds of the ANA Inspiration, Nelly Korda came just short of her first career major title after losing in a three-way playoff with Brooke Henderson to Mirim Lee. She had traded the lead with Henderson most of the day, but Korda was up two strokes after a birdie on 14. As she walked up the 18 green, she had no clue Lee had tied her after an eagle chip on her 72nd hole.
“No idea, no,” said Korda. “She must have played amazing golf coming in, so props to her.”
Korda said she felt she played solid today, and is proud of keeping calm after overcoming three bogeys on Nos. 8, 10 and 12. She said her tee shot on 18 “kind of got me in trouble,” but no matter what was happy to have her family to support her throughout the final round with parents Petr and Regina, and older sister and five-time LPGA Tour winner Jessica, all walking along outside the ropes.
“I'm just going to take positives from this week, know my game is trending upward,” said Korda, who will appear in next week’s Cambia Portland Classic. “I'm just going to continue working hard and see where that takes me.”
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