Cheering for Brooke Henderson — National Post View

“I haven’t thought about too much yet”, she concluded.

“I got off to a pretty fast start”, Henderson said.

Still, all the attention and adulation she’ll get this week will be more than welcome.

A decade later, the prodigy from Smiths Falls, Ont., has made golf history.

Brooke Henderson’s day started with the standing ovation she received upon walking into the clubhouse at Vancouver Golf Club this morning.

After shooting 66 and 67 in the first two rounds, Henderson entered Saturday with a one-shot lead.

Henderson made seven birdies in her bogey-free round.

Then she shot 68 to grab one of two spots in a Monday qualifier.

Henderson will tackle the circuit not only as the newest LPGA victor , but she’s the first Canadian since Lorie Kane to win on the tour, and the youngest Canadian to win an LPGA or PGA event.

Henderson is attempting to become the third player to win an LPGA tournament before turning 18, joining Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson. “I have to go low and shoot some good numbers for that to happen”. Her world ranking also skyrocketed from No. 32 to a projected No. 17.

Brooke Henderson has been a teenage Canadian warrior this year on the LPGA Tour. Her next tournament is the $2.25-million Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, which begins Thursday in Coquitlam, B.C., where the spotlight will be firmly fixed upon her. She chose to turn pro this year, and not attend the University of Florida where she had a verbal commitment. He was an elementary schoolteacher for 31 years before retiring…. Their mother, Darlene, worked with the mentally disabled before retiring in December. Their father, Dave, caddied for Brooke all week. “That’s going to really help moving forward”. Why potentially? Her age. “I got some lucky breaks out there”. It was really important for my golf game.

Henderson’s eight-stroke margin is the largest in the history of the event and the biggest on the LPGA Tour since Jiyah Shin won the 2012 Women’s British Open by nine shots. Henderson made her final birdie at the par-4 17th, knocking in a 10-foot putt from the fringe. “It’s the only Solheim Cup probably that’s going to be in Germany while I’m playing”, said Masson, who played in the 2013 Cup. But ever since San Francisco, she has felt a burgeoning confidence against the world’s best. “I feel really good out here”.

A birdie on the 17th was again followed by a bogey but Henderson still saluted the crowd on the 18th green. She bombs her drives, puts her approach shots within range and makes her mid-range putts as often as not. Among those failing to advance were two-time Portland champion Suzann Pettersen. I’ve only seen her twice, but she’s been so consistent. She is now ranked 133rd in the world.

Funny, because all Henderson wants for now is to be one of the players on the tour.

“It was just like when they were kids”, said Feeley. But having used up all of her sponsor’s exemptions, Henderson is still not eligible to play the remainder of the LPGA Tour events on the 2015 schedule. “I gave myself a lot of great opportunities and rubbed some edges”. “It’s something I’ve gotten more comfortable with this year”. To be able to play the way I did today, especially with Jordan in my group, I could tell that he was the favorite.

The Canadian’s ability to swing big separated her from the pack. Where’d she learn to do that? “I haven’t touched (the swing) since I was a little girl”. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.