Brooke Henderson, a two-time champion of The Standard Portland Classic, showed off her all-world talents on Thursday. On the first day of the tournament, she put forth an astounding 7-under 65, unmatched by any other competitor. The 27-year-old Canadian golfer proved exactly why she was the first round favorite, carding four birdies on the course’s four par-5 holes. She is only one stroke behind the first-round leader, Adela Cernousek.
Heritage Henderson, the world’s 52nd ranked player, who has claimed 13 LPGA Tour titles during her storied career. She originally stole the show back in 2015. Just 17 years old, she cruised to her first LPGA Tour victory by eight shots at Columbia Edgewater. Incredibly, she returned to the same course and successfully defended her title the next year. Surprisingly, she hasn’t won a tournament since January 2023. That context makes Kasum’s performance at the Portland Classic last week all the more significant.
Joining past champions Stacy Lewis and Hannah Green in the final group, Henderson said her accuracy made the difference. “It’s really important to hit a bunch of fairways this week,” she stated, reflecting on her strategy for the tournament. On Thursday, her first round, she only missed two fairways, which aided her excellent start.
Henderson loves coming back to the tournament venue, adding that “This place is one of my favorites.” Her passion shined through as she zeroed through the course with grace and confidence.
With the CPKC Women’s Open in Mississauga, Ontario, scheduled for next week, Henderson’s performance at The Standard Portland Classic could serve as a springboard for future successes. As she works to polish her game, Henderson is intent on restoring her championship ways.
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