Forty-five years.
That’s the length of time since a female Canadian last won the country’s national open. But Golf Town Athlete Brooke Henderson, 20, is trying to snap that streak, and takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the CP Women’s Open at Wascana Country Club in Regina, Sask.
“Coming into the week, if you would have told me [I’d be leading], I’d would have been very excited,” Brooke said. “I’m definitely in a good position heading into the final round, which is very exciting, and I feel like these crowds this week have been totally amazing. I have been playing well for them, so I’m happy about that.”
Followed by the “Brooke Brigade,” a group of juniors cheering on their idol, Brooke started quietly, but rattled off three-straight birdies starting on the 12th hole to roar into the lead. Only a misstep on the 17th hole, where she made a bogey.
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Brooke is trying to follow in the footsteps of Jocelyne Bourassa, who won the Canadian Women’s Open in 1973, the last Canadian to capture the title. Brooke is one shot ahead of Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and American Angel Yin, who both finished the third round at 13-under, just ahead of a crowded leaderboard.
Brooke said the roaring and supportive crowd helped urge her forward in her 2-under round.
“It’s amazing to see all the little kids out here watching,” Brooke said. “If I high five them or sign something for them, just their face kind of lights up, and it’s a really cool feeling for me. Hopefully I can inspire them to pick up the game or just kind of follow whatever their dreams might be.”
Fulfilling the dream of having a Canadian win the country’s national open is still 18 holes away, something Brooke is very aware of. She predicted it’ll take a 67 or 68 in the final round to capture the title. She’s coming off a tournament last week where she shot 63 in the final round.
“I’m always trying to play my best on Sundays, and I definitely played really well last Sunday in Indy, so kind of just try to match what I did last week,” Brooke said. “But I’m not done yet, so hopefully I can just have a great night, restful, sleep well, and then wake up tomorrow ready to go.”
The whole country will be watching.
Alena Sharp, who fought hard amid high winds on Friday to make the cut, shot 2-under in the third round to close at 5-under, and in a tie for 29th. Fellow Canadian Anne-Catherine Tanguay also sits at 5-under after shooting 70.