It’ll be like a home game for Golf Town athlete Brooke Henderson this week, even though she’s teeing it up in the LPGA Tour’s first major in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
On Thursday, Brooke will tee it up at the ANA Inspiration, the first major championship on the LPGA Tour’s schedule. Brooke, who tied for 14th last year and 10th in 2016, has commented the ANA is one of the most enjoyable for her on tour, even though it comes with the pressure of being the LPGA’s first major of the season. The event is typically filled with snowbird Canadians who flock to the fairways in support of our country’s favourite golfer.
“I feel like my game is in a really good place right now in all phases, particularly with my ball-striking,” Brooke told Golf Town. “I had a strong start to the season with a few Top 10s. But unfortunately I missed the cut in Phoenix where I played well but shot even par over the first two days. That’s how it goes out here because there are so many talented players on the LPGA and the difference between being on the cutline and being in contention over the weekend can sometimes be so small.”
That said, Brooke says she’s focused on her short game heading into the tournament and is prepped and ready.
“It is always nice to play a Desert course in Phoenix and then a lush course like Aviara (Kia Classic) to help me get ready for Mission Hills Country Club for the first major,” Brooke says. “I’m trying to dial in on my short game and I feel like it is coming together.”
What will Brooke bring to the ANA Inspiration? Her game this year has seen its share of red hot moments, though she’s yet to convert a win. In five tournaments, she has three Top 10 finishes, with her best being a tie for second at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
For the tournament, Brooke will be decked out in apparel from Skechers GO Golf brand, which combines performance and comfort technologies, with golf-focused design innovations. The brand has generated a lot of its research and development for the line through working with players like Brooke. Featuring both tops and bottoms for women, the Skechers GO Golf line incorporates technical stretch fabrics into both its shirts, pants and shorts, making it perfect for active professional golfers and amateurs alike.
Brooke praised the Skechers for their mix of performance and comfort while working on her shoes, as well as their connection to the apparel line.
“I started wearing a few of their standard shoes back in 2016, and it’s been a great process to work with their design and performance teams to come up with something that is both functional and stylish,” she says. “The biggest thing from my perspective is always performance. Does it feel right on my foot and can I hit all of the shots I need to be able to hit on the golf course? The added bonus to me is that their styles and colours are a lot of fun and fit really well with the apparel line.”