Need to know: Brooke Henderson
The 18-year-old Henderson is already a 3-time LPGA event winner
By Callum Ng, CBC Sports
Brooke Henderson is a tremendous talent. In her second full year since turning pro, the 18-year-old is ranked third in the world going into Rio.
Famous moment
Henderson won the women's PGA championship in June 2016, becoming the second youngest winner of an major.
She said it...
- "At the Olympic Games, you know, success is going down there, representing my country. I'm extremely honoured and proud to do that. Of course the gold medal is the ultimate goal, and to bring it back home to the Canadian Open and to Canadian fans the next week is really important to me."
What they're saying about her...
- "She has superstar qualities." - LPGA great Annika Sorenstam on a broadcast of the women's PGA championship
- "She just goes out and plays. She's not trying too hard. She's just using her athletic ability and being aggressive and not seeing where bad things can happen. As you get older, you see those things." - teammate Alena Sharp to The Toronto Star
Strengths
Henderson calmly approaches the game, and wins.
For that women's PGA championship victory she put the first playoff hole quickly to bed against world No. 1 Lydia Ko, with a winning birdie.
Weaknesses
Henderson brought her notoriety to another level this spring with her women's PGA championship win, adding another at the Cambia Portland Classic. She then struggled in July after a busy schedule.
She'll have to find a way to maintain her form, through the highs and the lows a long professional golf career will inevitably bring.
Fun fact
Her older sister Brittany is also an excellent golfer and often caddies for her.
Hometown
Smiths Falls, Ont.