It was a freezing-cold August day in Regina. Tee-times were moved up early to avoid bad weather. Most of the spectators were bundled up.
And Golf Town athlete Brooke Henderson had a t-shirt on.
Yes, Sunday at the 2018 CP Women’s Open featured less-than-stellar weather but a memorable, and amazing champion – as Brooke captured the title about five hours after walking to the driving range with no sleeves (although she did eventually put a sweater on) by four shots over Angel Yin.
With the win, Brooke became just the second Canadian woman in history to capture her country’s national open. It came 45 years after Jocelyne Bourassa’s victory in Montreal.
“Truly amazing, dream come true,” said Brooke after she won. “The crowds were incredible all week. Walking to the first tee on Thursday, I didn’t think there was going to be that many people, and the crowd just seemed to grow bigger and bigger every single day, even every minute.
“Today was incredible. To have their support and then to play as well as I did and to hoist this trophy, I’m just so excited.”
Brooke came into Sunday’s final round holding a one-shot lead over Yin. She birdied the opening hole but gave it right back on the second with a bogey, however, Brooke made five birdies on the back nine to put a stamp on the title.
The pressure was building and the buzz was palpable as the afternoon went on, but Brooke kept things steady.
Despite the fact that Brooke ended up winning the title by four shots, she said afterwards she wasn’t really 100 per cent sure she had the trophy until her approach on the final hole – which ended up just two feet from the hole.
“I know that might sound a little silly because I did have a few-shot lead, but anything can happen down the stretch. I was pretty nervous,” said Brooke. “This was a big deal for me. To be able to hit that shot in and finally know that it was basically over was incredible, and I feel like that was the first time all day that I could really smile and really enjoy everything to its fullest.”
Brooke was serenaded by the crowd on 18 as she walked towards the green, with an ‘O Canada’ rendition being sung at her. It had been a tough summer for Brooke, as both of her grandfathers passed away just weeks prior. However, she was able to contain all the emotions, keep warm, and keep her eyes on the prize – the biggest one of her career.
“I definitely feel like it was meant to be this week. Everything just kind of seemed to fall my way, and I feel like when you win on the LPGA Tour it is so difficult that you kind of need those breaks and you kind of need that feeling that it’s yours, and I had that this week, which is really cool,” said Brooke. “It’s just amazing and a dream come true.”