Fast start, slow finish for Henderson at CP Women’s Open

TSN Senior Reporter

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Given the option, a golfer will always choose a big finish over a fast start.

For Brooke Henderson, that wasn’t in the cards in Thursday’s opening round of the CP Women’s Open. The headliner of the tournament that’s being played for the first time in three years made birdies on her first three holes, but slowed up coming home with bogeys on two of her last three.

It added up to a mediocre score of 69 that leaves her seven shots off the lead held by South African Paula Reto, who shot a sizzling 62. That score broke the course record set by Henderson the last time the tournament was held at the Ottawa Hunt and Country Club in 2017.

“Hot start, which was a lot of fun,” said Henderson. “Definitely disappointed with how I finished the day on a birdie or eagle-able par-5, making bogey.”

After a massive buildup and with her image plastered all over the nation’s capital, Henderson looked calm and relaxed as she stepped on to the 10th tee to begin her day, waving and smiling to the massive gallery that extended the length of the hole. She seemed to be at ease as the fans cheered her every step and every swing throughout the day.

“It was so cool to have that much love and support,” she said. “You know they’re happy even when I bogeyed the last hole. They were still cheering for me. It’s just an amazing feeling and I can’t wait for hopefully a better day tomorrow, and just can’t wait to hear some bigger roars.”

The pride of Smiths Falls, Ont., drove the ball well, missing just two fairways and blasting it past her playing partners Lydia Ko and Jennifer Kupcho on most holes. She also found the majority of the greens, failing to land on just two in regulation.

With the greens still soft from rain