Since her debut in 2015, Brooke has proven that she has what it takes to be among golfing's elite. (ID 73019205 © Angie Westre | Dreamstime.com)
Brooke Henderson may be only 25 years old, but in the world of Canadian golf, she is already the G.O.A.T.
Back in 2019, the native of Smiths Falls, Ontario set the record for the most tournament wins by a Canadian golfer, female or male, with her ninth win. What was the most amazing was that she did it all before she was even 22—passing golfers like Sandra Post and Mike Weir, who had had the chance to play out their entire careers.
And she didn't rest on her laurels either. Since then, she has been adding to her reputation.
This past Sunday, she won the first tournament of the 2023 LPGA season, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. It is her 13th tournament win ever, and the perfect start to a new year.
She won with a very impressive -16 over 72 holes, which was a full four strokes better than the second place golfers (in golf, the aim is to get the lowest possible score).
Two per year ... maybe more?
Thwack! Brooke drives the ball during her winning weekend in Orlando. (Getty Embed)
Since her first tour win in 2015, Henderson has been remarkably consistent. Outside of the years most affected by COVID, she has won two tournaments per season, year after year. This includes a pair of major championship victories (the tour's biggest events), one each in 2016 and 2022.
But she has usually taken a while to get her motor running—most of her past tournament wins have taken place in the summer months of June, July, and August, and she had never won one before April in any year. So what might this early start mean? Is 2023 going to be the Year of Brooke?
"To come out and win this week is really the dream start to 2023 and hopefully I can just keep it going," she said after her big win. "My goal is always to win a couple of times every year, hopefully more than twice, so maybe this year will be the year when I can win more than twice out on tour."
Rankings climb
All smiles! Brooke (right) poses with her sister, Brittany, who is her caddy (assistant), after the win. (Getty Embed)
One thing it might mean? A chance for Brooke to become the Number 1 ranked golfer in the world. This is something never before achieved by a Canadian.
She is currently ranked Number 6 in the world. A strong season would give her the chance to gain ground on New Zealand's Lydia Ko and the USA's Nelly Korda, the current and previous World No.1 players. Matching these players is a stiff challenge, but if one thing is clear, it is that Brooke hasn't met a challenge she won't embrace.
We're excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for her!
Cool! Go Henderson go!