Ko, who is the reigning Canadian Open champion, says there are a few things she and her fellow Olympians are having to adapt to.
Advertisement
Henderson was asked if she’s feeling any pressure to become the first Canadian to win the championship in 43 years.
Lorie Kane of Canada hits a tee shot in women/’s individual golf at the 2015 Pan Am Games at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., on Thursday, July 16, 2015.
This week, though, the spotlight belongs to the 18-year-old Henderson, who collected her first major crown in June – outduelling Ko in a playoff at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Seattle – and represented Canada in Rio. The New Zealander won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, 4 months to become the LPGA Tour’s youngest victor and fifth amateur champion.
“I played really solid, birdied the first hole straight off the bat”, Ko said.
The Charlottetown native began her career on the LPGA Tour in 1996 at the age of 29 and earned four career Tour victories.
“Lydia is truly wonderful”, Henderson said. “I wish there could be a switch where we could put out the sun or put some overcast”. Now the no. 3 ranked player in the world, the three-time LPGA Tour victor thrives on the pressure of competing in front of the home crowd.
She’s won three times, including previous year.
“My caddie always jokes that when it’s windy I always play great, so I guess that’s kind of my deal”, said Meadow, who had seven birdies and one bogey on Thursday. “I truly respect the way she plays in that she’s accepting of what happens and she moves past it. She swings a very big driver a very long way and I’m extremely proud of her”.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it, feeling their energy and feeling their support”, she said. This is a bit more traditional…it’s firm and fast.
Through 15 holes, Henderson sat in a tie for 46th spot with a host of other golfers at 1 under.
But at the tender age of 19, the record-setting Ko is perched atop the world rankings – Henderson is now No. 3 – and well on her way to enshrinement in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Now sponsored by Canadian Pacific, the purse includes $337,500 for the victor. I’ve accomplished some things that I never thought would have been possible.
“It kind of gives me a way to give myself a chance and know if they can do it I have a chance to succeed like they do”, she said.
“It’s definitely a quick turnaround but you know this is one of our best tournaments on our tour schedule so even the girls that were in Rio I think we’re all excited to be here”.
“Yeah, I missed a few putts, seven, eight, and then a clumsy three-putt on three, but at the same time, I chipped in from a place where I wouldn’t have thought I would have chipped in (on six)”, Ko stated. There’s a giant Henderson poster near the first tee at Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club.
Advertisement
The tour will remain in Canada next week for the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ontario, with Pettersen the defending champion.
