Tag: Brooke Henderson

LPGA plans to adopt local rule that limits driver length, which means Brooke Henderson will need to make a change

The LPGA told Golfweek it plans to implement the rule, meaning one prominent pro will need to make a change.

The U.S. Golf Association and R&A have jointly announced a new rule that allows the option to limit the maximum length of a driver to 46 inches. The new Model Local Rule leaves it up to professionals tours and elite amateur events to decide whether or not they want to implement it beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

The PGA Tour said in a statement that it planned to implement the Local Rule at the beginning of next year. A survey across the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour found that a very small number of players have used or are currently using clubs longer than 46 inches. The new rule does not apply to putters.

How will it impact the women’s game?

The LPGA told Golfweek that it also plans to implement the Model Local Rule sometime after the 2021 season, noting that officials have already talked to the small number of players affected by the change.

Brooke Henderson has used a longer driver for her entire professional career. The 10-time winner might be the only player on tour who uses a 48-inch driver, though Chief Tour Operations Officer Heather Daly-Donofrio said there may be one or two other players.

Canada’s Henderson has gripped down on her clubs, including her driver, since she started playing the game at 3 or 4 years old. Earlier this year, Henderson said she tried to “grip like a normal person” a couple of years ago and it didn’t go well.

She currently ranks ninth on the tour in driving distance at 273.8 yards.

Henderson could not be reached for comment.

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Brooke Henderson’s sister Brittany is back on the bag at KPMG Women’s PGA

Brooke Henderson will have big sister Brittany back on the bag for this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA, her brother-in-law confirmed.

JOHNS CREEK, Georgia – Brooke Henderson will have big sister Brittany back on the bag for this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA, her brother-in-law confirmed.

Brittany’s work visa expired on June 15, but new work cards were printed just in time for the third major of the year.

“I’m thankful to be back on the bag for my sister,” said Brittany, a native of Smiths Falls, Ontario. “and excited to get to back to work at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.”

Last September, Brittany married Zach Sepanik, who hails from Grand Rapids and works for the LPGA’s communications team, and applied for new immigration status. The couple bought a house in Naples, Florida, after they wed and have been working with Senator Marco Rubio’s office to expedite the paperwork.

Brooke, a 10-time winner on tour who won the 2016 KPMG, played for the first time since February 2016 without Brittany on the bag at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic and missed the cut with rounds of 75-67.

Brooke Henderson of Canada lines up a putt on the 10th green during the third round of the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on October 10, 2020, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

A two-time winner of the Meijer (2017 and 2019), Brooke said the biggest change with having someone else on the bag was a dip in her confidence. She had veteran caddie Everette Nini working for her last week in Grand Rapids and early week in Georgia.

“We’ve worked together for five years, and she just knows me so well, so things are very easy,” Brooke explained. “Everett was great. He did a great job. I didn’t play that well, but he was right there for me and helped me out a lot.

“I think just explaining what I wanted to happen and speaking my mind, where normally Brit kind of knows what I’m thinking already, so that was probably the biggest challenge. Somewhere down the road when I do have another caddie, I just have to remember to speak clearly and really explain what I’m trying to do.”

Brooke Henderson says there’s a chance sister Brittany will be back on the bag at KPMG

Brooke Henderson says big sister Brittany might be back on the bag this week. “Hopefully things go the right direction soon.”

JOHNS CREEK, Georgia – Brooke Henderson still has veteran caddie Everette Nini with her at the KPMG Women’s PGA, but there’s a chance big sister Brittany will be back on the bag this week at Atlanta Athletic Club.

“Maybe,” said Brooke. “It’s just kind of at the point where we’re just waiting, and hopefully things go the right direction soon.”

Canada’s Henderson played for the first time since February 2016 without Brittany on the bag at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic and missed the cut with rounds of 75-67. Brittany’s work visa expired on June 15.

Last September, the former Symetra Tour player married Zach Sepanik, who hails from Grand Rapids and works for the LPGA’s communications team, and applied for new immigration status. The couple bought a house in Naples, Florida, after they wed and have been working with Senator Marco Rubio’s office to expedite the paperwork.

KPMG: Odds, predictions and picks

Brooke, a two-time winner of the Meijer (2017 and 2019), said the biggest change with having someone else on the bag was a dip in her confidence.

“We’ve worked together for five years, and she just knows me so well, so things are very easy,” said Brooke. “Everett was great. He did a great job. I didn’t play that well, but he was right there for me and helped me out a lot.

“I think just explaining what I wanted to happen and speaking my mind, where normally Brit kind of knows what I’m thinking already, so that was probably the biggest challenge. Somewhere down the road when I do have another caddie, I just have to remember to speak clearly and really explain what I’m trying to do.”

Brooke Henderson
Brooke Henderson hits her tee shot on the 11th hole during round two of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club on June 18, 2021 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Henderson, 23, ended a victory drought that dated back to June 2019 in dramatic fashion at the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open. She raved about the condition of Atlanta Athletic Club and said the two nines on the Highlands Course play quite differently. She hopes it continues to play long as the week goes on.

“Just on the front nine, lots of times the bunkers are up the right-hand side,” said Henderson, “and as long as you’re left of them, you’re good, and then on the back nine, there’s bunkers on both sides, and you kind of have to hit a little bit straighter in between them.”

A 10-time winner on the LPGA, Henderson’s lone major victory came at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA at Sahalee.

After falling ill with a cold at the Mediheal and then competing without her sister by her side in Michigan, Brooke flew home to Florida for the weekend for a couple days on her own to rest, regroup and practice.

“I feel like I’m in a much better place,” she said.

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2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship odds, predictions and picks

Feeling lucky this week?

The 2021 Women’s PGA Championship takes place this week at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia. Sei Young Kim looks to defend her major title from October; 155 other golfers are looking to dethrone her. Below, we look at the 2021 Women’s PGA Championship odds and make our picks and predictions to win.

All are competing for a share of the $4.5 million purse. Kim won the pandemic-delayed 2020 event by five strokes at 14-under par at Aronimink Golf Club. Nelly Korda comes in off a win at last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Still, the biggest name to watch this week is three-time Women’s PGA Championship winner Inbee Park. She went back-to-back-to-back from 2013-2015 with her most recent Women’s PGA Championship win decided by five strokes at Westchester Country Club. She’s this week’s betting favorite at +1400.

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 12:41 p.m. ET.

Favorite

Inbee Park (+1400)

Park is the rightful favorite for her fourth career Women’s PGA Championship title even though she hasn’t won since the Kia Classic in late March. She’s No. 2 in the Rolex rankings and in scoring average, and No. 3 in the Golfweek/Sagarin ranking.

Park tied for 10th last week by going 68-68-68-67 at Blythefield Country Club. She’s just 148th on tour in driving distance but is eighth in driving accuracy, 33rd in greens in regulation and fourth in putting average. Accuracy is more important than distance under major conditions.

Place your legal, online 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship bets in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV and Washington D.C., at BetMGM. Risk-free first bet! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Contender

Brooke Henderson (+2800)

Henderson missed the cut in Michigan last week. She was done in by an opening round of plus-3 75 but responded with a 5-under 67 in the second round to miss the weekend on the number.

The Canadian is No. 6 in the Golfweek rankings, but she’s just 12th by the odds to win this week. She won the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club and the 2021 Hugel-Air Premia LA Open in late April.

Henderson is fifth in the Rolex rankings and tied for fourth on tour with five top-10 finishes this season. She’s also fifth in greens in regulation and should avoid a lot of the tough rough around the putting surfaces.

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Long shot

Yuka Saso (+5000)

Saso celebrated her 20th birthday over the weekend, just two weeks after winning the U.S. Women’s Open as a 19-year-old. She has vaulted to No. 34 in the world rankings. Unlike most of this week’s top competition, she didn’t play last week in Grand Rapids and won’t have to deal with the lengthy travel.

Saso will play the Women’s PGA Championship for just the first time, but it will be her fifth career major appearance. Her odds have fallen considerably from where they were a couple of weeks ago, but there’s still plenty of value at 50-1 for the reigning U.S. Women’s Open champ.

Get some action on the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Brooke Henderson will compete this week on the LPGA without sister Brittany on the bag for first time in five years

Brooke Henderson will have to adapt to a new face on the bag and changes to the course as she tries to win another Meijer LPGA Classic.

Brittany Henderson hasn’t missed a week on younger sister Brooke’s bag since February 2016. That will change this week at the Meijer LPGA Classic after Brittany’s visa expired on June 15.

Brooke, a two-time winner of the Meijer (2017 and 2019), must meet the challenge of a new face on the bag as well as changes to the course as she looks to defend her title. (The Meijer was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

“You know, I’m definitely sad that Brit is not with me on the bag this week,” said Brooke. “Definitely be a big change. I think the main thing this week is to try to keep things simple and have fun on a golf course that I’ve played really well on before.”

Brittany married Zach Sepanik, who hails from Grand Rapids, in September of last year and applied for new immigration status. Sepanik works for the LPGA’s communications team and is back home this week at the Meijer. The couple bought a house in Naples, Florida, after they wed and have been working with Senator Marco Rubio’s office to expedite the paperwork.

“Brooke knows how to play really well at this course,” said Brittany. “It’s tough for me to sit back and not do much, but I think they’ve got it handled.”

Brooke will have veteran looper Everette Nini on the bag this week.

“Everette is a good friend,” said Brooke, “and he’s lots of fun to be around, so I think he will definitely make the change a little bit easier.”

Brooke Henderson wins Meijer LPGA Classic
Brooke Henderson of Canada poses with the championship trophy during the final round of the Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club on June 18, 2017 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Meijer has been a special tournament for the Hendersons – there’s even a Brooke Henderson Lane – with Brooke having won twice on Father’s Day. Dave Henderson is Brooke’s instructor, but their work together at tournaments has been done remotely since the pandemic. Brittany, a former Symetra Tour player, has stepped in to help, particularly on the greens.

In April, Brooke ended a victory drought that dated back to June 2019 in show-stopping fashion at the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open, toppling No. 1-ranked Jin Young Ko, Jessica Korda and Hannah Green at historic Wilshire Country Club with a closing 67 to collect her 10th LPGA title.

Henderson said the feel at Blythefield Country Club reminds her of home in Smiths Falls, Ontario, the trees and weather in particular. This marks the first week on the LPGA that there are no limits when it comes to the number of fans allowed on property and plenty will be out following the winningest Canadian player.

No player on the LPGA has won more than once in 2021. For Henderson to three-peat at the Meijer, she’ll need to adjust her strategy.

“A few tee shots are definitely more challenging with where they placed the bunkers,” she said of the course changes. “(Nos.) 18, 9, and 2 sort of come to mind with the way the bunkers kind of jut in so it bottlenecks the fairway. I used to cut some corners and take sort of aggressive lines on those holes where I can’t really do that anymore. … They’re definitely making it harder on me, but I’m excited for the challenge. I love this place.”

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Brooke Henderson upset by 194th-ranked player in LPGA Bank of Hope Match Play

Brooke Henderson is fifth in the Rolex Rankings but suffered a round-robin loss at the LPGA Bank of Hope Match Play.

Brooke Henderson, currently fifth in the Rolex Rankings, lost to 194th-ranked Jenny Coleman on the first day of the LPGA Bank of Hope Match Play on Wednesday.

Henderson isn’t out of the event; the first three days use a round-robin format, with knockout rounds starting on Saturday.

Henderson took a quick 3 up lead with birdies on the first three holes but it was all square after Coleman birdied Nos. 5, 10 and 11. They traded birdies on 13 and 14 and it was a birdie on the par-5 16th by Coleman that proved to be the difference maker.

In other matches, top-ranked Jin Young Ko beat Natalie Gulbis 4 and 2, Danielle Kang knocked out Albane Valenzuela 7 and 6 and Patty Tavatanakit beat Sarah Kemp, 1 up.

Also Wednesday, Carlota Ciganda lost her match to Sarah Schmelzel due to a slow-play penalty that resulted in loss of the 18th hole.

The women’s tour hasn’t had a match-play event on its schedule since 2017 when Lorena Ochoa hosted a tournament in Mexico City that wasn’t even televised. This week, the famed Shadow Creek course is host. The Tom Fazio design hosted The Match: Tiger vs. Phil in 2018 and the PGA Tour’s CJ CUP last October.

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols contributed to this article.

Showstopper Brooke Henderson collects 10th career victory at Hugel-Air Premia LA Open

Brooke Henderson ended a victory drought that dated back to June 2019 in show-stopping fashion.

The winningest Canadian player in history returned to her winning ways at the Hugel-Air Premia LA Open. Brooke Henderson ended a victory drought that dated back to June 2019 in show-stopping fashion, toppling No. 1-ranked Jin Young Ko, Jessica Korda and Hannah Green at historic Wilshire Country Club with a closing 67.

The victory gives 23-year-old Henderson her 10th career victory, tying Ariya Jutanugarn, Shanshan Feng and Paula Creamer among active players. With golf courses closed in Henderson’s native Ontario until at least May 20 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the victory at last gave some of Henderson’s biggest supporters reason to smile back home.

“I think as I age I’m getting more nerves,” said Henderson when it was over.

Henderson, who finished at 16-under 268, looked anything but nervous when she hit a gutsy pitch on the closing par-3 18th to keep her one-shot cushion over Korda, who knocked it in close for birdie to finish solo second.

“That would be hard to pull off if she was by herself on Tuesday,” marveled Golf Channel analyst Judy Rankin of the deft up-and-down Henderson pulled off on the 72nd hole.

Sparked by a stuffed approach on the 11th and a chip-in for birdie on the 12th, Henderson started the day four strokes back of Korda but opened up a three-shot lead with four to play over Ko, Korda and Aussie Hannah Green.

Korda, winner of the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, had plenty of chances down the stretch but several misfires with wedge in hand, plus a bogey on the drivable par-4 14th and a par on the reachable par-5 15th, kept her from collecting another trophy.

As the tour heads to Asia for events in Singapore and Thailand, both Jessica and Nelly Korda, two of the hottest players in the game this season, will have three weeks off.

“Really frustrating, really couldn’t get anything going,” said Korda. “I was hitting it really good and then just it wasn’t happening for me for some reason.

“Just kept getting screwed and the wind kept dropping and then coming back up and we were – we just – it just wasn’t happening. I don’t know.”

Green carded a final-round 66 that included an eagle on the 14th to vault into a share of third.

Henderson came into the week with a pair of top-10 finishes on the season and hasn’t had her father/coach Dave on the road with her since January 2020. The Hendersons travel often with their two daughters, particularly at big events.

With dad back home in Smiths Falls, Ontario, they’ve used FaceTime to keep on track. Big sister Brittany helps too, particularly on the greens. Henderson noted after Friday’s round that she finally felt comfortable with the putter.

“I felt like I was playing really great golf,” said Henderson of the nearly two-year drought. “It just wasn’t my time. God has a plan for everything, and just really happy. Brit and I been working really hard, and so it’s nice to get the win and get some confidence back.”

Angela Stanford, 43, had a roller-coaster round that had her within two shots early in the back nine after a holed bunker shot on the 11th. A double-bogey on the 12th, however, took her out of the conversation down the stretch on Saturday. A closing 70 put the assistant Solheim Cup captain in a share of fifth.

USC grad Tiffany Chan played so much golf at Wilshire in college that she considered the club her second home. Chan posted a career-best tie for eighth this week thanks to a closing 69.

UCLA grad Alison Lee Monday-qualified for the LA Open with a closing eagle. After a third-round 79 send her tumbling down the board, the former Solheim Cup player carded five consecutive birdies on the back nine to shoot 66 and finished tied for 39th in her second start of the season.

 

10 players to watch at the 2021 ANA Inspiration

These 10 players are worth watching at the 2021 ANA Inspiration, the LPGA’s first major of the year.

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — As a major championship on the LPGA, the ANA Inspiration annually boasts one of the strongest fields in women’s golf.

And like some other majors, the ANA seems to reward some players with strong performances over and over again, with multiple wins or constant appearances in the top 10 of the event year after year.

The ANA Inspiration has been played at Mission Hills Country Club’s Dinah Shore Tournament Course in Rancho Mirage, California, since the tournament was founded in 1972. The event will be played at 6,769 yards with a par of 72.

Here are 10 players to pay attention to this week as the tournament begins for the 50th time:

Brooke Henderson re-signs equipment deal with Ping

The Canadian has won nine LPGA events and uses a full set of 14 Ping clubs.

Brooke Henderson, the sixth-ranked female player in the world in the Rolex Rankings and winner of nine LPGA titles, re-signed an equipment contract with Ping, the equipment maker announced on Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not revealed.

The 23-year-old Canadian, winner of the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, is in the field of this week’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

“From the tour staff at Ping who fit me into the game’s best clubs, to the great teams at Ping Canada who’ve supported me since my earliest junior days, being treated like family has contributed to my success for sure,” Henderson said in a media release announcing her new contract. “Because I have the backing of so many people, and I’m playing clubs that bring out the best in my game, I give myself an opportunity to play well every week. I’m really happy to pursue more victories with Ping and build on all that we’ve accomplished together.”

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Ping has listed on its website that Henderson plays a full bag of 14 of the company’s clubs: G400 driver and two fairway woods, a G400 hybrid, i210 irons (5-UW), two Glide Forged wedges and a Sigma 2 putter.

“Brooke is the pride of Canada, and I can tell you we are very proud of her in the United States for her winning track record, her competitive fire, and how she represents the game and our brand with such class and positive energy,” Ping President John K. Solheim said in the media release. “Since she burst onto the scene with an eight-shot win her rookie year, she’s never let up, putting together four consecutive multiple-win seasons, a mark of consistency few can match. We’re thrilled she’ll continue representing Ping; in turn, we will continue to surround her with the support she needs to achieve her goals.”

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CME Group Tour Championship notes: Nelly Korda rides back-nine 31 into contention

Nelly Korda got on a run Friday at the CME Group Tour Championship to vault up the leaderboard and into contention.

What’s been a strange year for everyone because of the coronavirus pandemic got stranger for Nelly Korda  a couple of months ago.

The 22-year-old cracked her back during the KPMG Women’s LPGA Championship in October, and it went into spasm. Korda made sure she took off enough time to be completely healed, then returned for the U.S. Women’s Open in Houston, missing the cut with a pair of 73s.

“It was more of like my feel wasn’t really there,” she said. “At the end of the day, no one really pays attention I think to like, ‘Oh, she was injured.’ They pay attention to the score.

“For me to step back and say, OK, my team knows I was rusty and I didn’t play well. It’s OK. You’re going to have bad tournaments. Just focus on the upcoming one and do as well as you can.”

Korda has done just that during the CME Group Tour Championship so far. After playing her first 11 holes Thursday at 2 over, she has played the last 25 holes in 7 under to vault up the leaderboard and into contention.

Korda got an assist from her dad, former tennis star Petr Korda.

“It was really nice to roll in some putts,” she said. “I wasn’t putting too well (Thursday), but my dad — behind the fence — saw me putt on the putting green after my round and helped me out a little bit.

“So that really helped today.”

Korda hasn’t had any hiccups with her back so far.

“My caddie was funny,” she said. “I would hit like – I would go after a shot like in the rough and my caddie was like, ‘Are you OK?’ Yeah, I’m fine.”

Korda’s play at Tiburón isn’t a surprise. She’s been in the top 10 in each of her three appearances in Naples.

Still, she was able to put together a 5-under 31 on the back nine, starting out in chilly temperatures.

“It was a little nippy,” Korda said. “Not going to lie, I didn’t feel my fingers on the range. I stayed aggressive, hit some really close shots, and capitalized on them.”

Korda’s happy that temperatures will warm up into the upper 70s and near 80 over the weekend.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “I’m a Florida girl. I do not like this. I like fall fashion, but I do not like playing golf in this kind of weather.”

Henderson rallies into top 20

Miromar Lakes resident Brooke Henderson continued her comeback from a triple-bogey on her second hole Thursday, shooting a 4-under 68 to tie for 16th. That included an eagle Friday on the par-5 17th.

“No. 17 was a really nice bonus,” Henderson said. “It was up and over a ridge, and it was a long one.”

Henderson, who is from Canada, said she just got into trouble after a bad tee shot on the triple-bogey.

“I felt like I battled back pretty well (Thursday), getting it back to 1 over,” Henderson said. “I was sort of happy at the end of the day, and happier now to get a solid round.”

Henderson, even before she bought a place here, always had the more-than-supportive Canadians in Southwest Florida come out. Like everywhere this year, the fans are missed, but Henderson and the Canadians had their own connection.

“There’s always tons of Canadians down here supporting me,” she said. “I definitely miss them this year, but hopefully next year things will get back to a little more normal.”

More than a tough start

Nanna Koerstz Madsen shot a 6-under 66 to move into second place Thursday, and said she had no expectations.

“I just want to go out and play and see if I can do good mentally,” Madsen said.

That didn’t happen at the start of Friday’s second round. Madsen bogeyed No. 2, double-bogeyed No. 3, quadruple-bogeyed No. 4, and bogeyed No. 5. She parred No. 6, and ended up playing the final 13 holes in 3 under.

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