Henderson sets Canadian wins record on PGA or LPGA tour with ninth title
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Brooke Henderson won the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday to break the Canadian record for tour victories with nine.
The 21-year-old Henderson led wire-to-wire for her second victory in three years at Blythefield Country Club, closing with a 2-under 70 in chilly conditions to hold off Lexi Thompson, Nasa Hataoka, Su Oh and Brittany Altomare by a stroke.
Henderson broke a tie with Sandra Post for the Canadian record on the LPGA Tour and also moved ahead of George Knudson and Mike Weir for the overall country mark.
“That’s really cool,” Henderson said. “Earlier this year to get my eighth win and to tie that record was a huge deal for me. To now to kind of breakthrough that is awesome. I’m just really excited for the rest of the summer and hopefully many more wins in the future.”
With caddie/sister Brittany and mother Darlene looking on, father Dave sprayed her with champagne to celebrate.
“It’s really special,” Henderson said. “I’m so happy that both my mom and my dad can be out here to watch my sister and I win this. It’s always special when they’re here, especially on Father’s Day.”
Also the Lotte Championship winner in April in Hawaii, Henderson matched the tournament record of 21 under that she set in 2017 (when the course played to a par of 71) and also was tied last year by So Yeon Ryu. Henderson opened with consecutive 64s, playing 30 holes Friday after rain delayed the start Thursday, and had a 69 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.
“It’s a lot like the courses I grew up playing back home in Canada,” Henderson said. “I love it out here. Just trying to hit good shots and hopefully make a lot of birdies. Didn’t make as many as I wanted, but just enough.”
The final putt at @MeijerLPGA that sealed the deal in Canadian #golf history ???? pic.twitter.com/q9i2cIsFZz
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) June 16, 2019
Her lead reduced to a stroke after a bogey on the par-4 16th, she three-putted the par-5 18th from 45 feet for the winning par.
“When I was walking up here I thought maybe I would have to birdie or eagle this hole to get the job done, but when I looked at the scoreboard I was sort of shocked that all I needed to do was three-putt and par,” Henderson said. “I’m really grateful about that because I was shaking pretty bad on those last couple putts.”
Henderson had Canadians from coast-to-coast cheering her on all throughout.
“Congratulations to Brooke on becoming the winningest Canadian professional golfer ever on the PGA or LPGA,” said Sandra Post, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Honoured Member. “I’m so happy for her and her family and for golf in Canada. I know there are many more wins in store.”
“On behalf of Canadian golf fans across the nation, we are so proud of Brooke Henderson on her incredible 9th LPGA Tour victory,” said Laurence Applebaum, Golf Canada CEO. “She’s made Canadian golf history at 21 years of age and there is no doubt that the very best is yet to come for this inspiring young athlete. We can’t wait to celebrate this victory and the defense of her CP Women’s Open title this August at Magna Golf Club!”
Thompson followed her course-record 62 in the third round with a 68, closing with an eagle for the second straight day. The 2015 winner at Blythefield, she was coming off a victory last week in New Jersey.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t hit it that great today, but I made some really good putts on my second nine,” Thompson said. “I had a little bit of a muscle spasm in my shoulder all day, but it is what it is, you can’t control that. So, overall great week.”
Hataoka shot 65, also making an eagle on the par-5 18th. Oh had a 66, and Altomare shot 68.
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp had a strong tournament, finishing tied for ninth at 13-under with a final round of 72.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee (71) finished at 2-under while Anne-Catherine Tanguay of Quebec City (74) was at 1-under.
Jennifer Kupcho, four strokes behind Henderson entering the day, had a 76 to drop into a tie for 23rd at 11 under in her third professional start. The former Wake Forest star won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the third major championship of the year, is next week at Hazeltine in Minnesota.
Henderson leads Meijer LPGA Classic; Thompson makes big move
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Brooke Henderson birdied the final three holes Saturday for a 3-under 69 and a two-stroke lead over Annie Park in the Meijer LPGA Classic, with Lexi Thompson three shots back after matching the course record with a 62.
Trying to break a tie for the Canadian victory record for both women and men, the 21-year-old Henderson had a 19-under 197 total at Blythefield Country Club. She opened with consecutive 64s, playing 30 holes Friday after rain delayed the start Thursday, then got off to a slow start Saturday with three birdies and three bogeys in the first 15 holes.
“I kind of found it hard to find my rhythm during the middle part of the round, so I kind of got started batting third and that’s never a good sign,” Henderson said. “But to come back with three birdies at the end there makes the round feel a little bit better.”
The 2017 winner at Blythefield, Henderson successfully defended her Lotte Championship title in April in Hawaii for her eighth LPGA Tour victory, tying Sandra Post’s Canadian record. George Knudson and Mike Weir share the mark on the PGA Tour, also with eight victories.
“Of course, that’s in the back of your mind, but it’s long from over,” Henderson said. “There’s so many great players close to the top of the leaderboard. And this course, you know there’s a lot of birdies out there, so it’s going to take a low score. So, hopefully, I can just continue to hit good shots and give myself a chance for the win.”
Park birdied the par-5 18th for her second straight 65.
Three straight birdies to close out the round for @BrookeHenderson ????
She takes a 2-stroke lead into the finale at the @MeijerLPGA pic.twitter.com/LAE8S5Slc3
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) June 15, 2019
“Overall, it’s been good with shots, short game, putting,” Park said. “Hopefully, I can keep that momentum going on for tomorrow. I can’t wait.”
The American returned early Saturday to complete the final hole of the suspended third round, making a birdie on 18.
“Took a good nap in there,” Park said.
Thompson, the 2015 winner, eagled the 18th, hitting an 8-iron approach within 2 feet.
“It helped to have a really good number, let alone a short number,” Thompson said. “But you have to take advantage of it. There’s a lot of birdie holes out there and a lot of opportunities, so you just have to take advantage of them.”
The winner last week in New Jersey, she had the eagle, 10 birdies and two bogeys.
“I had a good warmup on the range, felt good about my game,” Thompson said. “The last two days I haven’t struck it to my capability and what I’ve been working on in my game, but today it kind of all fell together.”
Brittany Altomare matched Thompson at 16 under with a 69.
Hamilton’s Alena Sharp shot up the leaderboard with a 64. She’s tied for ninth at 13 under. Quebec City’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay (72) is 3 under while Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee (73) is 1 under.
Jennifer Kupcho was another stroke back after her third 67. The former Wake Forest star is making her third professional start. She won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April and the NCAA individual title last year.
“Just go into it just like any other tournament,” Kupcho said. “I mean, I always like the chase, so I’ll just go out there and play my game and see what shows up tomorrow.”
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the third major championship of the year, is next week at Hazeltine in Minnesota.
Woodland sets himself up for the weekend at US Open
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – An impossible par from the rough. An improbable birdie from a divot.
If Gary Woodland can handle whatever comes his way this weekend as well as he did Friday, he might be holding a trophy at the end of the U.S. Open.
Woodland brought his power game to the majors once again, shooting 6-under 65 to head into the weekend at 9 under and with a two-shot lead over Justin Rose.
The 65 matched the record for a U.S. Open at Pebble Beach – a number previously shot by Rose on Thursday, and Tiger Woods 19 years ago.
For Woodland, the feat appeared virtually undoable as he lined up a chip from the deep rough just past the canyon that separates the eighth fairway and green – his second-to-last hole. He made a delicate chip to 15 feet, then sank the putt to save par and give him momentum heading to No. 9.
“That’s one you’re hoping to get close, but it’s nice when it goes in,” Woodland said.
Pumped from that make, he hit a 316-yard drive into the middle of the fairway on the 526-yard par-4 ninth. Perfect, except it came to rest in a divot. Woodland grabbed 7-iron, gouged it out to the right side of the green – then made that 50-footer to take a two-shot lead over Rose.
“It was a nice putt to go in, and kind of keep the momentum going,” Woodland said.
That birdie dropped him to a cumulative 22-under par in the first two rounds of the last four majors. He had the lead heading into the weekend in one of those majors – the 2018 PGA at Bellerive – and played Saturday with Brooks Koepka and Sunday with Woods.
But it turned out to be a bit too much. Woodland shot 71-69 over the weekend and finished in a tie for sixth.
“You learn you have to stay within yourself. You can’t get caught up in what’s going on around you,” he said. “Obviously there’s a lot more noise going on. Playing with Tiger on Sunday, I’d never seen anything like that.”
Tiger won’t be anywhere near him at Pebble Beach on Saturday. He finished with a pair of bogeys to shoot 72 and finished at even-par – still among the 79 players to make it through to the weekend, but with tons of room to make up and not much time to do it.
“We’ve got a long way to go, and we’ll see how it shapes up for tomorrow,” Woods said.
There were 10 players within five shots of the lead, including Koepka, in search of his third straight title, and Rory McIlroy, who made double-bogey on No. 14 after failing to hit the green with wedge on two straight shots. But he followed that with back-to-back birdies to finish at 5 under.
“I didn’t quite get those three shots back, but 2 under for the last four after what happened, I’m very pleased with it,” McIlroy said.
He was one of 31 players to finish under par after a second consecutive day of calm wind and cloudy skies that brought an occasional thin mist across the course.
Pleasant enough, though not everyone enjoyed their trip around Pebble Beach.
Patrick Reed flubbed a chip at the right of the 18th green and snapped his wedge over his thigh. He made double-bogey there to make the cut on the number, at 2 over.
Francesco Molinari was cruising at 5 under before he put one in the canyon on No. 8 – the start of a double-bogey-bogey finish that left him tied for 19th, at 2 under.
“I liked it more before the last two holes,” Molinari said, when asked about his position.
Woodland liked his position best.
But it’s the U.S. Open. Nobody can feel too comfortable.
Henderson vaults into lead at Meijer Classic
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Canada’s Brooke Henderson had sole possession of the lead after her second round of the Meijer LPGA Classic.
The native of Smiths Falls, Ont., had her second straight score of 8-under 64 on Friday to go up by three shots on American Brittany Altomare prior to the later tee-off times.
Henderson completed her first round with 12 holes on Friday after darkness halted play on Thursday, jumping into a one-stroke lead after 18 holes.
The 21-year-old, who won this event in 2017, had nine birdies and a bogey in the second round.
“I started off really well late last night and I was able to carry it on early this morning,” Henderson said. “Then I had lunch and came right back and played another 18. I just felt really confident today with my ball-striking, which is awesome, and I rolled in a few putts, too.”
.@BrookeHenderson goes 64-64 to set a 36-hole tournament record at the @MeijerLPGA ??
She takes a 3-stroke lead into the weekend ?? pic.twitter.com/DEVwb1Mwli
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) June 14, 2019
Just before play was suspended Thursday, Henderson got a hole-in-one on her sixth hole (the par-3 15th after starting on No. 10) to go to 4 under.
Henderson is looking for a Canadian record (on the PGA or LPGA Tours) ninth career title.
“I’m pretty tired right now, not a lot of sleep last night with the late night, early morning, so I look forward to some rest later tonight,” Henderson said. “I think it kind of was a bonus when I had things rolling just to keep it going.”
Alena Sharp of Hamilton was 5 under through 36 holes after an even-par 72 in the second round. Quebec City’s Anne-Catherine Tanguay was 3 under after also shooting a 72.
Calgary’s Jaclyn Lee was 2 under, while Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., and Selena Costabile of Thornhill, Ont., had later tee-off times after each shot 76 in the first round.
Mary DePaoli recaps an amazing 2019 RBC Canadian Open
Mary DePaoli (EVP & Chief Marketing Officer for RBC) sums up a fantastic 2019 RBC Canadian Open.
Josh Whalen: On the right track
Josh Whalen understands that finding success on the golf course is not a sprint but rather it’s a marathon. And so he’s taken the time necessary to fine tune his game since graduating from Kent State University in 2017.
As one of the top amateur golfers in Canada, Whalen is close to taking that next step on his journey – one that he hopes will see him follow in the success of fellow Kent State and Team Canada alums Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes.
Whalen’s journey on the golf course began in Napanee, Ont., when he was introduced to the sport at the age of four by his grandfather, Burt Whalen.
“My grandparents would babysit my sister and myself. My sister would stay with my grandma and I would go to the golf course with my grandpa,” recalled Whalen.
“When I started school, my grandpa would pick me up after school and we would go play. Eventually, when I was seven or eight I got a membership of my own and started to play quite a bit more.”
Whalen says his grandfather and his father, Terry, were avid golfers and encouraged him to pursue the sport further.
“I started playing at local one day golf tournaments to get my feet wet and then played some CJGA tournaments in Ontario. I didn’t do too well at the beginning but eventually I started getting some good results. Eventually, I would move on to play in some Golf Ontario events and then some Golf Canada events,” he recalled.
Josh Whalen [Duncan, B.C.] August 6, 2018, Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows & Pheasant Glen Photo by: Golf Canada“When I was able to compete and win against some of the top golfers in Canada, it made me realize I could do something more with golf – and by that, I mean play Division 1 golf down in the U.S.”
Whalen would score a scholarship to Kent State University in Ohio where he was mentored by Hall of Fame Coach Herb Page.
“It’s a great program. In my first year I got to play with Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners which was a great experience. I look up to those two guys a lot,” he pointed out.
During his four years at Kent State, Whalen enjoyed a number of highlights including a second place finish at the Ontario Men’s Amateur in 2015; and was selected first team All-Mid-American-Conference in his sophomore year.
“I can’t say enough about Kent State, it was an amazing atmosphere. It’s also motivating to know that Mackenzie Hughes and Ben Curtis are both also graduates of the program,” Whalen continued.
“All the coaches there really helped me develop as a player and as a person.”
Even though he was Canada’s top-ranked amateur player after he graduated from Kent State in 2017, Whalen felt his game still needed some work.
Ultimately, the Kent State grad believed there was more to learn and was willing to put in the time before turning pro.
“I just felt it was important to work on certain areas of my game before taking that next step,” said the second-year member of the National Amateur Squad.
“I’ve really benefited from being part of the National Team Program. We get a lot of support both on and off the golf course. And working with Derek (Ingram) has helped me in terms of understanding the game a little better,” he said.
Whalen says the next step in his journey will take place later this autumn.
“I’ll probably play in the Web.com Q-School in the fall; and if that’s not successful then I will look to play the Mackenzie Tour for next year and work my way onto the Web.com Tour,” said Whalen.
“The ultimate goal is to play on the PGA Tour. I know it’ll be a bit of a climb and it’ll take a bit of time but I’m prepared for it.”
According to Derek Ingram – head coach of the men’s National Team Program – Whalen has made significant improvements since joining in 2018.
“Josh’s chipping and pitching has improved the most; and his putting as well,” he pointed out.
Ingram speaks highly of the current state of Whalen’s game.
“Josh’s game is actually quite similar to Corey Conners. He drives the ball really well. It’s a combination of long and straight and he’s got great iron play. He hits a ton of greens in regulation. He’s very consistent,” said Ingram.
“Josh has seen Corey, Mac and other guys have success in amateur golf, college golf and on the PGA TOUR – and so they’ve really paved the way for him in terms of providing an example of ‘this is how you do it.'”
In terms of the big picture goal of becoming a successful PGA pro, Ingram believes Whalen is on the right track.
“Josh just needs to be able to compete and do well in bigger tournaments to get that confidence in his game. And he needs to stay the course and continue what he’s been doing,” Ingram noted.
“He’s a smart player and knows it’s going to take time, it’s a long process – but he’s got a great work ethic and a great attitude and so I really like his chances of following in Mac and Corey’s footsteps someday.”
Rules of Golf: Fixed distances
When you drop in relief areas defined by one or two club-lengths, in the 2019 Rules, a club-length will always mean the length of the longest club in your bag, except your putter.
Click here to learn more about the Rules of golf.
What I learned volunteering at the RBC Canadian Open
Thank you to the fans, the volunteers, the tournament organizers and the sponsors for a fantastic end to a fantastic tournament!
A picturesque end to the day, nothing beats the last group walking up the final fairway to a thunderous ovation from an adoring crowd. We couldn’t have written a better end to the day, with Rory McIlroy, the darling of the golf world, taking home the championship (in a Toronto Raptors jersey to boot!)
The perfect end to a perfect day, but there is a lot of work that goes into it. The fairytale ending we all experienced today is not what it is without the thousands of volunteers tending the ropes. Dedicated golf fans that are teachers, police officers, members of the host club, retirees, and a million other things. These are the lifeblood of Our Open. They are the engine that drives the wheels of our championship.
And we owe them a massive thank you. For the 25,000 people in the sold-out crowd on Sunday, there were volunteers everywhere, making sure that the tournament was as great as it turned out to be. The unsung heroes of the championship, they are the ones that drive the parking lot shuttles, hold the “Quiet eh?” signs in the air for hours on end, keep the players and crowd safe, tend to the hospitality tents and make sure the complicated effervescent tangle of gallery rope line is in working order.
These people come together from all walks of life and descend upon the host golf course, working a long week and longer hours. They partake in the beehive-like efficiency of running a PGA TOUR event – but why? They do it because they love it.
They love the players, the TOUR, the golf course, the RBC Canadian Open, the experience of being inside the ropes, the experience of helping people, and the experience of showing the game they love off to the country, the players, the patronage and the world.
Les Palango, Hamilton radio personality, said that “I love to volunteer because it gets me in the action, I can man the ropes and the players all walk right by me. You see them on TV all the time, but to have Rory McIlroy walk by you and personally thank you for doing your job, that makes it worth it to me.”
It’s the spirit of the volunteers, the thousands of them that sign-up for forty-nine PGA TOUR events all over the country (but especially ours), that is the heart and soul of the game. The grow the game initiative comes from the passion of people like these. It’s awe-inspiring the passion of the golfer.
As the day was wrapping up, and our champion golfer McIlroy was signing his scorecard before the trophy presentation, I turned to a volunteer standing on the 18th green and asked him his favourite part of the week, “This,“ he told me. That was all he needed to say. This was everything. This moment. Thousands of people carved into the natural amphitheatre, all sharing the collective consciousness of pride in their tournament. They were chanting for the Raptors, Rory, singing Oh Canada, and not a soul had left since the final putt dropped. They all wanted more. “Wow eh?,” was all I could muster back to him, and we both stood there, taking in the moment, knowing exactly what we were talking about without saying anything.
So sign up to be a volunteer. Get more. Show the game you love to your friends, your family, a total stranger. Within your passion will ignite their passion.
The amazing experience of being a volunteer at the 2020 RBC Canadian Open is right around the corner, and you don’t want to miss out.
Click here to learn more.
Golfer Rory McIlroy and Raptors star Kyle Lowry bond over mutual respect
Rory McIlroy may have won the RBC Canadian Open, but he left Ontario with the best prize of all: friendship.
The world No. 3 golfer and Toronto Raptors all-star Kyle Lowry became fast friends over the past week, bonding over their performances in high-pressure events. McIlroy went on to win the Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, Ont., while Lowry was instrumental in Toronto taking a 3-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals heading into Monday night’s Game 5.
They first met when McIlroy, in Toronto ahead of the Canadian Open, attended Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 2 at Scotiabank Arena. McIlroy went into Toronto’s locker room after the Raptors’ 109-104 loss to Golden State and started chatting with Lowry, exchanging phone numbers.
“We messaged back and forth a little bit this week,” said McIlroy, who watched Toronto’s two wins in Oakland, Calif., on television between rounds of Canada’s national golf championship. “It was awesome to see them do what they did over on the West Coast.”
When McIlroy won the PGA Tour event on Sunday, he pulled on an autographed Lowry jersey on the 18th green and shouted “Raptors in five!” to cheers from the thousands in attendance. A source told The Canadian Press that Lowry had made plans to watch McIlroy’s final round in person on Sunday, but opted to stay in Toronto and rest ahead of Monday night’s Game 5.
"I've been to a couple basketball games, but there was just nothing like it"@Raptors | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/7vCRgI2fP1
— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) June 9, 2019
McIlroy wanted to return the favour, but had to fly to California to play in this week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
“If I didn’t have a big tournament next week, I would be sticking around for that Game 5,” said McIlroy, who is also friends with L.A. Lakers superstar LeBron James and been his guest at previous NBA Finals. “I’m sure it’ll be awesome.”
Although June 2 was the first time they had spoken, Lowry had seen McIlroy play in person before.
“I didn’t realize he followed us around in L.A. at the start of the year,” said McIlroy. “I played with Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas the first two rounds and (Lowry) followed us around. He said in the summertime when he’s got some time off he basically plays 36 holes a day. I was pretty impressed with that.”
Henderson, Tanguay finish tied for 11th at Shoprite
GALLOWAY, N.J. – After 3-putting from off the green on the 15th hole to fall two shots off the lead in the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Lexi Thompson made it a point not to stress out over it.
The calm demeanour paid off as Thompson finished birdie-par-eagle on her last three holes Sunday, and made a 20-foot putt for the eagle at the 18th to win the $1.75 million event on the Bay Course at Seaview by one stroke over Jeongeun Lee6.
“I just really tried to find the positives in it because I knew coming in there were birdie holes,” Thompson said. “If I let it affect me, I wouldn’t have finished the way I did. At that point I didn’t know where I was, position-wise. I kind of thought I was behind for sure . a few back.”
Playing in winds that blew steadily from 20 to 30 miles per hour, Thompson had a 4-under-par 67 for a 54-hole score of 12-under 201. She posted her 11th career LPGA Tour victory – first since last year’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. It extended her streak to seven straight years with at least one win on the tour.
Thompson, who made her professional debut in this event in 2010 at the age of 15, set up her eagle at the 18th by needing to hit a 190-yard second shot with the wind at her back, to get it to the front of the green.
“With a jumper lie and the wind, I ended up hitting a pitching wedge, which is my 135 club,” she said. “It ended up landing 50 yards short and rolling up there.”
On the putt, she said, “I got chills, like my hair on my arms was sticking up once I made it.”
Lee6, the champion of last week’s U.S. Women’s Open who was playing two groups behind Thompson, lost her lead with three consecutive bogeys from holes 13 through 15 before bouncing back with a birdie at No. 16 to tie Thompson.
However, needing an eagle to force a playoff after reaching the green in two, she just missed a 45-foot putt to tie and had to settle for a birdie, giving her a 70 and second place at 202.
“The way I’m playing the ShopRite tournament, it’s amazing, and I’m pretty satisfied with finishing in second place,” Lee6 said through an interpreter.
Ally McDonald, seeking her first career LPGA Tour victory, challenged on the back nine and took third place at 204 following a 70. Two-time ShopRite LPGA champion Anna Nordqvist had a 69 for fourth place at 206.
Anne-Catherine Tanguay (67) and Brooke Henderson (68) were the top Canadians, tying for 11th at 4-under, while Alena Sharp (72) tied for 21st at 3-under.
Mariah Stackhouse, who began the day one stroke off the lead, fell back with a double bogey at the fifth hole and couldn’t come back. Her round of 74 left her in a three-way tie for fifth at 207 with Ariya Jutanugarn (68) and Yu Liu (72).