When Brooke Henderson first played in the Canadian Open
The teen golfing talent first played in the Open in 2012 at the age of 14
Six years ago, a high school student named Brooke Henderson was the youngest-ever golfer to play in the Canadian Women's Open.
It seemed as good a time as any for CBC's The National to do a story on the up-and-coming golfing star.
Ahead of her debut at the tournament, which was held in Coquitlam, B.C., that year, Henderson told CBC she was simply enjoying the atmosphere.
"I was out here yesterday and saw some great professionals like Paula Creamer and it's just amazing and hopefully I can play well this week and just enjoy the experience," Henderson said back then.
The golfing prodigy from Smiths Falls, Ont., had already won a pro tournament that spring, which allowed her to play in the Open.
"I'm just so excited to be able to play here," said Henderson.
Her coach, Tristan Mullally, said she'd grown up watching a sibling play golf at a high level and he felt that had been factor in her development as a player.
"She's had the advantage of having an older sister, who was already a very good player and a former national team player, someone that set the standard for her when she was very young," Mullally told CBC.
Henderson's older sister, Brittany, in fact, now serves as Brooke's caddie.
'She's going to have a blast'
And while Henderson was young to be playing tough against the pros at the Open in 2012, others saw a star to watch out for on the golf course.
"I think she's going to have a blast and I'm really excited for her and I cannot wait to meet her," said American golfer Michelle Wie, herself a golf pro and former teen phenom, when asked about Henderson's debut at the Open.
Henderson wouldn't make the cut for the final at that tournament, not that it mattered in her long-term career.
She won the Open this past weekend, becoming the first Canadian to do so in 45 years. It was her seventh LPGA victory and second tournament win this year.
"This was like the first time ever that I've played my absolute best in front of the hometown crowd and on home soil," Henderson said of her win. "It's just a great learning experience, and it has a really happy ending."
To date, she's won more than $4.6 million in career prize money, according to statistics listed on the LPGA website.
With files from The Canadian Press