LPGA: Canadian teen leads Cambia Portland Classic

Going into the final round Henderson had opened up a five-shot lead over Tour veteran Morgan Pressel, her closest challenger. The Canadian, who turns 18 on September 10, closed with a comfortable three-under 69 for the largest margin of victory on the LPGA circuit this year.

“To get a good round together and try and increase my lead, and definitely just hit good shots”. “I don’t mind a bunker shot, although I didn’t hit it well today”.

Henderson and Masson’s group, which included 34-year-old Candie Kunga from Taiwan, drew a sizable crowd that grew substantially as the round went on.

After shooting 66 and 67 in the first two rounds, Henderson entered Saturday with a one-shot lead. “But this week, she’s found comfort from the fact that the best finish of her career came in the Portland Classic, a tie for ninth in 2013, and she has been staying with friends, including a former assistant athletic director at NSU”.

Meanwhile, Henderson became the third-youngest champion in LPGA Tour history at 17 years, 11 months, 6 days. She said it felt as if she played at an even higher level this week in Portland. “Then I’ve got to play [the] Frys.com [Open], and then I’m maybe playing a couple more after that”.

“It was a great week”. About the fourth hole on my back nine I said, ‘Let’s go make some birdies, ‘ and I was able to do that.

Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ontario, also had the 54-hole lead in April in California in the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.

“It will be awesome to be back with the Canadian support. I’m happy to bring one home for Canada”.

Henderson, who was denied an age petition to play in the Q-school last year, has won $661,818 in unofficial earnings in 10 events through sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifying. The only player to accomplish the feat was Laurel Kean in the 2000 Rail Classic. Through nine LPGA Tour tournaments, Henderson has banked $466,818.

“When I was a little girl, I always pictured the fans around the green and watching another player putt”, she said.

Henderson added five more birdies on Sunday and even two dropped shots in the last six holes were never going to prove costly, such was her advantage. I’m right where I want to be, playing on the LPGA Tour. For all his talent, he was questioned for winning only one tournament in five years on the PGA Tour. “I really did that this week”. Lexi Thompson won the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic at 16 years, seven months, eight days. Day finished at 20-under 268, not knowing until it was over that it was a record.

A win Sunday would assure Henderson of finishing among the tour’s top 40 on the money list, giving her an LPGA Tour card for next season.

Henderson was accompanied by her father and coach, Dave Henderson, and her sister, pro golfer Brittany Henderson.