Canadian teen Brooke Henderson opens 5-shot lead in Portland

After shooting a 71 on Saturday, Tseng sat at six-under 230.

Henderson still does not have her LPGA Tour membership card, but she is guaranteed to finished in the top-40 earnings this year which will guarantee her a spot on the LPGA Tour in 2016. Henderson became only the second player to Monday qualify and win the event, and the first to do so since 2000.

Henderson’s quiet confidence was reflected when she repeatedly stated during a conference call with Canadian media that, while elated with the win, she expects her success to continue.

With her first tour victory under her belt, Henderson said she’s setting her sights on an Olympic Gold.

Now Henderson – who had verbally committed to Florida before opting for the pro route – has signed with IMG and already has an endorsement deal with Ping, among others. That she has a strong team of friends and family around her can only help.

Van der Walt closed with an even-par 72 at Highland Springs to finish at 23-under 265. He was an elementary schoolteacher for 31 years before retiring….

But her father, Dave, has been outspoken about his daughter having status on the tour.

Congratulations, Brooke Henderson. You’ve made Smiths Falls, the National Capital Region, and the whole country very proud. Why potentially? Her age.

“I’ll take another nine birdies tomorrow”, Pressel said. It was really important for my golf game. “I gained from that physically and emotionally”.

Henderson’s five-stroke margin is the largest third-round lead on the LPGA Tour this year.

Henderson had the 54-hole lead at the Swinging Skirts Classic in San Francisco earlier this year, but finished third, one shot out of a playoff between Ko and Pressel that was won by Ko. She’ll be in France next month for the Evian Championship, where she’ll turn 18 on September 10 during the season’s fifth and final women’s major. I’m right where I want to be, playing on the LPGA Tour. “I really did that this week”.

Henderson has been nearly unerring the first two rounds of the tournament, with only a single bogey and 14 birdies through 36 holes.

“We have similar distance, but the accuracy she has on her irons is the biggest thing she has going for her”, said Gigi Stoll, the two-time state prep champion who heads to the University of Arizona next week to begin her college career. I’ve only seen her twice, but she’s been so consistent. She is now the top ranked rookie without a victory.

Henderson has been making headlines all season.

“Hopefully”, said Ms. Henderson of the week’s goal, “back-to-back victories”. “I gave myself a lot of great opportunities and rubbed some edges”. “I enjoyed being in the final group”.

“When I walked into last week’s tournament I knew I could go low on that type of golf course and I am hoping the same for this week”. She shot 68 to play her way in, which meant both sisters were suddenly in need of caddies.

“One thing I will say is last week my short game was pretty good and I made a lot of putts, which is usually where my weakness is a little bit”. “It’s something I’ve gotten more comfortable with this year”.

The Canadian’s ability to swing big separated her from the pack.