Brooke Henderson said she feels she’s improving each year at Tiburon Golf Club, and it showed with an impressive moving day at the CME Group Tour Championship. After starting the first round with a 1-over 73, Henderson quickly gained ground this Saturday after carding seven birdies and a long bogey on No. 9 to record a 6-under 66 and sit in a tie for fourth at -10.
“I feel like every year I get a little bit more comfortable out here, learn the course a little bit more, which is good. And working hard with Brit, my caddie, and also my dad, my coach, is usually out here, too,” said Henderson. “Just trying to get a better plan and strategize our way around here. I just -- every hole I feel like there is opportunity for birdie, so that makes it really exciting when you step up to every tee.”
It is the Canadian’s sixth appearance in the Tour’s season finale, where she has never finished worse than T25. Last year, Henderson finished in solo fifth, her career-best result in the event. Today’s round ties her lowest 18-hole score at Tiburon, last recorded in 2015 when she finished 13th. The 23-year-old said she misses the “Brooke Brigade,” and the heavy contingent of fans that follow the Hendersons at the Tour Championship.
“It's very strange not to see the big stands. Normally there is a lot the snowbirds, Canadians following me around all four days, so it's definitely been strange,” said Henderson, who also takes residence in Naples when not in Canada. “I really miss the energy and the little bit of adrenaline that the fans bring, but at the end of the day it's just a competitive round and you're just trying to do the best you can.”
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