Golf Town Athlete Brooke Henderson knows how special Mission Hills Country Club is, and her walk around the Dinah Shore Tournament Course in 2022 is going to be even more memorable.

This year marks the 50th year the course in Rancho Mirage will play host to the Chevron Championship – the first major on the LPGA Tour’s schedule. But this is the final year the major will take place on the legendary Mission Hills layout. Chevron took over the title sponsorship in October 2021 and plans to move the tournament to the Greater Houston Area starting next year.

The prize fund has been increased to $5 million (U.S.) from $3 million in 2021, and for all those reasons and more Brooke says this year is going to be extra special.

“If there was ever a time to jump into Poppie’s Pond it’s definitely this year,” said Brooke, referring to the iconic leap each winner makes at the end of the tournament. The pond is officially known as Champions Lake but was dubbed ‘Poppie’s Pond’ in 2006 after Tournament Director Terry Wilcox.

“To be the last year at Mission Hills and the last year with that history and legacy it’s pretty incredible to go there and compete in that final year and it would just be amazing to make that leap on Sunday and etch your name into history. I’ve always dreamt of jumping into that pond so to have one final chance… it’s very motivating and hopefully I’ll be able to do it.”

Brooke finished tied for 19th at the then-ANA Inspiration last year. She lost in a playoff the year prior. She has never missed the cut at Mission Hills and four of the seven times she’s teed it up she has finished inside the top 20. She finished tied for 26th as an amateur.

The Chevron Championship is one of two majors on the LPGA Tour schedule that is played at the same tournament each year. Brooke said that’s helped her learn the tendencies of where to hit it. She’s never felt as comfortable around Mission Hills as she does this year.

“Even though it’s a very challenging golf course you feel a little bit more comfortable,” she said. “(At) that course I’ve had some great finishes, I’ve had some OK ones. It’s the first major of the year and there is a lot of tension. There’s pressure. If you can handle that part pretty well then on the golf course… you’re just hoping for those great breaks at the right time and you’re hoping mentally and physically you’re up to the challenge.”

Brooke started her season with incredible consistency. After a runner-up at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions she finished T6-T11-T6-T4.

She said she’s hopeful to continue her steady play at the first major of the year. The course challenges all parts of your game, she said. The key for her is two-fold: Hitting it far is one thing, but you have to find the fairway. And just like any major championship, she said, you have to make putts.

A win in 2022, however, would be extra special.

“Being able to walk up 18 with all the fans and walk by Dinah’s statue across the bridge I’m just so happy that I was able to be a part of that. It gives me chills just thinking about it and to have walked that path the last 6 years it’s been pretty cool,” said Brooke. “I’m just grateful I had that opportunity and I’d love to be able to jump into Poppie’s Pond… that would complete the entire experience and all the memories I have of that place.”