Major champion Brooke Henderson and 2021 Epson Tour Graduate Maude-Aimee Leblanc shared the Canadian spotlight in front of roaring crowds at the Gainbridge LPGA as fans flocked to the first tee at 10:56 a.m. to cheer on their homegrown superstars. Leblanc, who grew up playing with Brooke’s sister and caddie, Brittany, in their junior golf days, said it was the first competitive round the two had played together in their careers.
“It was fun. The crowd was there. Yeah, it's always -- she's a super nice girl, so it's nice to play with her,” said LeBlanc. Henderson echoed her thoughts. “I used to watch her play all the time growing up, so it was pretty cool. I was always really impressed by her game,” said the 24-year-old. “To be out there today with her was a lot of fun.”
The pair posted impressive finishes overall at Boca Rio Golf Club. Henderson finished tied for sixth at -7 after posting a final-round 68 that included four birdies and an eagle on her first nine holes. It was her fourth top-10 result in the last six events dating back to her T2 result at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
“Making the turn it looked like if I could have a solid back nine, I could post a low score in the clubhouse,” said Henderson. “Unfortunately, didn't finish off the way I wanted to, but I definitely started the way I wanted to. That's something to take away.”
Leblanc finished in a tie for eighth at -6, one off her career-best result on the LPGA Tour, for her second top-10 finish ever on Tour. The Gainbridge LPGA, her first Tour event since the 2019 CP Women’s Open, was also her first made cut since the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Championship, where she finished T70.
“it's a great first event of the year. I think it's going to give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year,” said LeBlanc. “It just confirms that I need to keep doing what I'm doing.”
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