Advertisement 1

MCCARTHY: It's a Major week for Brooke Henderson at ANA Inspiration

Article content

Visions of next week’s Masters are no doubt dancing in your head, but the year’s first major is already here with the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration beginning Thursday.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

“This is the tournament as a little girl that you dream of playing in and watching and hopefully winning,” Brooke Henderson said from Mission Hills Country Club, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. “For the men, it’s the green jacket; for us, it’s to jump into Poppie’s Pond. It’s just special to be out here and hopefully one day I’ll be able to make that jump.”

Last September, the Canadian star nearly made the leap into the pond, and to a second major championship title, when she played her way into a sudden death playoff with Nelly Korda and eventual winner Mirim Lee.

Article content
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

“It’s just the best feeling to be in contention on a major championship on Sunday afternoon,” Henderson said. “To have that feeling of adrenaline and that rush of energy coming down the stretch is always great.”

Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

Like many big events, last year’s ANA Inspiration was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and was missing some of the game’s biggest stars. This year, the 120-player field is packed with the world’s best, including the top 15 in the world. Henderson and Alena Sharp are the lone Canadians in the field.

Usually one of the busier players on the LPGA Tour, Henderson took a cautious approach to golf’s return, playing just 10 tournaments in 2020 and going winless for the first time in her career despite six top tens. Still just 23 years old, Henderson has already racked up nine LPGA victories including a CP Canadian Women’s Open and the 2016 Women’s PGA Championship.

“Really happy with where I’m at, and I feel like I’ve had a successful seven years on tour,” she said. “I’m just trying to embrace it a little bit more, and enjoy it, this journey, this process. I think sometimes you can get too focused on the end result but just really trying to enjoy and improve.”

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

Last week, Henderson finished tied for 10th at the Kia Classic, and notably made the switch to a new left-hand low putting grip on putts from inside 10 feet.

“That was a big change for me,” she said. “But I feel really comfortable with it and I think I’ll keep it going.”

The switch to a cross-handed grip has also helped fellow Canadian Corey Conners since he made the change last September.

Golf fans are well aware of Henderson’s famously aggressive and impeccably balanced full swing, but like many great ball-strikers her success often hinges on a hot putter.

“Some weeks I don’t play as well and it’s usually the cause,” Henderson said.
“Those weeks where I’m struggling a little bit and things aren’t going my way, I kind of lose confidence and usually the first thing to go is putting.”

Advertisement 5
Story continues below
Article content

Golf is a family affair for the Hendersons, with sister Brittany her caddie and father Dave her longtime coach. While her sister has been a mainstay throughout this return to golf, dad hasn’t seen a tournament in person since last January. Like the rest of us, the Hendersons have made the best of modern technology.

“He’s always there, like virtually, always helping us out and sending us his notes on every course and FaceTiming and everything,” Brooke said. “Definitely miss having my mom and him out here.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

The Team Henderson plan for this week at Mission Hill’s Dinah Shore Tournament Course is a familiar one: Play aggressive, take advantage of her distance, and hit fairways.

Henderson says her game is well-suited for difficult courses that demand her full attention, which should be no problem this week as turf conditions during practice rounds have been firm and fast.

Advertisement 6
Story continues below
Article content

The most noticeable change this year is the return to an island green at the par-5 18th hole. In recent times, the back of the green has been protected by a grandstand, and last year somewhat ridiculously by a giant blue wall. (Viewers will remember Brittany Henderson crawling underneath to find Brooke’s ball on the 72nd hole with the tournament hanging in the balance.)

The short-lived Great Wall of Dinah is gone, and there are still no fans, so players at this 50th edition of the ANA Inspiration are faced with a true island green, and a tougher decision on their final approach shot.

“This is how it started out, to go back to that is pretty neat,” Henderson said. “Definitely makes the hole a little bit different. You can’t necessarily just go for it as soon as you have 3-wood in your hand.”

With temperatures expected to reach the high 30s this week, the greens will only be as receptive as tournament organizers allow, which could influence some decision-makers.

Canadian golf fans should know quite well what to expect from Henderson though.

“If I can get hybrid in my hand or 7-wood, I’ll definitely be going for it,” she said.

Henderson begins her quest for a second major win on Thursday at 7:32 a.m. local time.

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    News Near Tillsonburg
      This Week in Flyers