Brooke Henderson thrives under the spotlight at Canada’s LPGA tournament. The CPKC Women’s Open two-time champion showcased her comfort with the added attention at the events in Mississauga, Ont., last year and in Regina in 2018. Henderson views this week as a special and demanding occasion, drawing motivation from the supportive fans’ energy and positive atmosphere. She aims to deliver her best performance to engage and excite the audience, especially by stringing together strong rounds.
Henderson, a 28-year-old native of Smiths Falls, Ont., seeks to defend her title and secure a third victory at her home tournament, which kicks off on Thursday at the Royal Mayfair Club in Edmonton. She fondly recalls her 2018 win as a career highlight and a dream come true. The significance of her victories is amplified by the presence of her family and friends celebrating on the green after her triumphs.
The CPKC Women’s Open, with a prize purse of $2.75 million US, boasts a competitive field featuring six of the world’s top 10 golfers, including top-ranked Nelly Korda from the United States. Henderson ranks 11th among the top 25 players globally.
Regarded as the most successful Canadian golfer with 14 tour victories, Henderson recently achieved top-three finishes at the Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. Her strong performances in major tournaments have boosted her confidence and momentum for the remainder of the season. Henderson attributes her renewed success on the course to personal milestones, such as becoming an aunt and getting engaged to Ricky Castro, a pitching prospect for the Minnesota Twins.
Henderson leads a group of 15 Canadian participants in the 156-player field at the 52nd edition of the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton. The tournament, hosted at the Royal Mayfair for the third time, marks the return of several top players, including Lydia Ko, a three-time champion. Ko, who won the event in 2012, 2013, and 2015, acknowledges the tournament’s significance in her career and expresses excitement about competing once again.
The upcoming tournament in Edmonton faces weather challenges due to heavy rainfall in recent months. Despite the rain, the forecast predicts a mix of sun and clouds during the competition, with possible showers on Saturday night. Players like Ko and Henderson are bracing for mosquito-related issues at the course, with Henderson noting the prevalence of bugs but remaining relatively unaffected compared to others. The tournament attendance record of 73,000, set in 2024 at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, adds to the anticipation surrounding this year’s event.