Though only 21, Smiths Falls, Ont.’s Brooke Henderson now has nine LPGA wins, making her the Canadian with the most professional victories. Many are proclaiming her as Canada’s top all-time pro—but who is the competition.
Brooke Henderson won for the ninth time on the LPGA Tour in June, making her the winningest Canadian professional golfer, eclipsing Sandra Post, Mike Weir and George Knudson. “I’m so grateful for everything my dad and my mom have done for both Brit and I,” Henderson said after the win. “It really is a family event. I’m so happy.”
Henderson now has more pro wins than any Canadian previous—a total that includes a major championship. She’s also the fifth-ranked female golfer in the world on the Rolex Rankings.
This could make Henderson Canada’s greatest all-time golfer.
With her latest win, Henderson supplants several of Canada’s most legendary golfers at the top of the heap. But does that make her the best the country has ever produced? The discussion is probably moot, since Henderson is only 21 and surely to pour on more wins for years to come. Some are already saying 25 or more wins is achievable and it isn’t hard to envision some of those wins will be major championships.
What other Canadian greats are amongst the best the country has produced?
Mike Weir
With eight wins and a Masters title, until Henderson arrived on the scene, Weir was the top Canadian for two decades. It wasn’t just that Weir won regularly from 1999 to 2004, but it was the events he won at that define his career. A Tour Championship, a World Golf Championship win, the Masters and multiple victories at Riviera in Los Angeles show Weir had the ability to rise to the occasion against the best talent on the planet. Injuries and swing issues derailed the second-half of his PGA Tour career, but he’s still the face of Canadian golf for many.
George Knudson
Tied with Weir for the most PGA Tour wins, the late George Knudson was a ball striking phenomenon. Unfortunately, he struggled with his putting and stopped playing on the PGA Tour by the mid-1970s. He’s still regarded as having one of the purest swings ever on display on the PGA Tour, and his three Top 10 finishes at the Masters, including a tie for second in 1969, demonstrate his ability to tackle the toughest courses.
Sandra Post
A teen sensation like Henderson, Post won the LPGA Championship at 20, making her the youngest female to win a major championship at the time. She’d record seven other wins on the LPGA Tour, but injuries would slow Post by the time she was in her mid-30s. She’d go on to provide television commentary, making her one of the most visible faces in Canadian golf.
Moe Norman
Many claim Norman, an eccentric who some suggest was autistic, was the best ball striker of all-time. No less than Tiger Woods claimed Norman was one of the few professional golfers to fully “own” their golf swing. Though he didn’t win on the PGA Tour, Norman is credited with 55 professional wins, including two Canadian amateur victories.
Who’s your favourite Canadian golfer of all time?
It is hard to compare golfers from different eras.
At 21, Henderson is surely going to have plenty of additional victories—she’s Canada’s best.
The competition on the PGA Tour is tougher than the LPGA Tour, and Mike Weir won the biggest events.
No one before or since could hit a golf ball like Moe Norman—he’s the country’s all-time best.
If injuries hadn’t limited Sandra Post, she would have many more wins.
Why not celebrate Brooke’s accomplishments? By comparing her to Weir and others…it is the “apples and oranges” metaphor. Just enjoy her talent and enthusiasm. She is a great role model for Canadian Youth.
You should be ashamed for putting this on a website where you are actually sponsoring this Canadian sensation.
Give her a couple of years before you make this kind of analysis.
Canada is home to many talented Canadian golfers that we should be proud of. Our intention was to celebrate their and Brooke’s many accomplishments, not to put anyone down.
I think this ‘debate’ is entirely false and unnecessary.
Golfers across some 50 years difference in time probably should not be compared. The game has changed and so have the tours.
Accept what is, was, and will happen for it’s own worth.
Today, Brooke is Canada’s sweetheart and destined for more success. Lets just enjoy it and stop making silly comparisons to yesteryear!