We caught up with the Golf Town Athlete as she chases her second career major.
There’s just something about the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship that sparks good vibes for Golf Town Athlete Brooke Henderson.
Brooke, who won the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA, says this particular major will “always” hold a special place in her heart and her memories.
“That event,” Brooke says of her maiden major win, “changed my entire life and my career. I’d love to get a second major championship (and) I’d love to do it there because that event means so much to me.”
This year’s KPMG Women’s PGA takes place at Congressional Country Club, just outside Washington, D.C. Brooke finished tied for 21st a year ago. Nelly Korda captured her first major championship title, winning by three at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Brooke’s results at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship have been nothing less than spectacular. In her debut, in 2015, she finished tied for fifth after receiving a sponsor invite. She won the next year, and then lost in a playoff in 2017. Brooke has also added two sixth-place results since then.
“It’s just been super special to me,” says Brooke of the Women’s PGA. “(KPMG) took a chance on me when I didn’t even have status on the LPGA Tour… and I finished T5 and from there it really started a great run of amazing finishes at the event.
“After I started getting a few solid finishes and the win in 2016 and then seeing my poster around and seeing the trophy… it just brings back so many great memories that give me more energy and excitement year-after-year and I keep being able to put myself in contention.”
Congressional has hosted five men’s major championships in the past and is set to again play host to the 2031 PGA Championship. The Women’s PGA will return in 2027.
Brooke says playing these big-time golf courses (after Congressional the championship is set to head to Baltusrol, a nine-time men’s major championship venue, in 2023 and then PGA Frisco, the new headquarters of the PGA of America, after that) gives her an extra boost at this major.
“To play these well-known golf courses that the men have been able to play their majors or their huge championships at… it really means a lot to the women’s game and it’s really exciting for us to get the opportunity to play these amazing golf courses that we’ve only ever heard about,” says Brooke. “It’s just really fun, and I’m just excited about the list of really great golf courses we have over the next few years.”
The 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship starts June 23. Brooke and Maude-Aimee Leblanc will make up the Canadian contingent.