Brooke Henderson, the most successful Canadian professional golfer in history, showcased her ability to improve continuously during the CPKC Women’s Open. Hailing from Smiths Falls, Ont., Henderson surged 33 places up the leaderboard on the second day, carding a remarkable 5-under 66 to reach a tie for fifth at 5 under after two rounds.
This is not the first time Henderson has excelled in the second round of the Canadian national women’s golf championship, hinting at a developing trend in her performance. Reflecting on her progress at the Mississauga Golf and Country Club, Henderson emphasized the importance of acclimating to the crowd, fans, and course nuances to enhance her comfort level. She expressed satisfaction in surpassing her goal of shooting minus-5 to distance herself from the cut line, positioning herself well in the competition.
Despite Henderson’s impressive climb, Japan’s Akie Iwai emerged as the second-round leader, extending her lead to three strokes after a solid 2-under 69 round, reaching 9 under overall. While content with her performance, Iwai acknowledged missed birdie opportunities and aimed to capitalize on them in the upcoming rounds.
Following closely behind Iwai were Minjee Lee of Australia, Leona Maguire of Ireland, and world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, all tied for second place at 6 under. Henderson, alongside other players, secured a spot at 5 under on the leaderboard, relishing the thrill of being in contention and eager to entertain the supportive fans over the weekend.
Reflecting on the competition dynamics, Lee emphasized the shift in mindset when chasing a leader like Iwai, highlighting the need for aggressive play and relentless pursuit of birdies in such scenarios. Notably, Calgary’s Aphrodite Deng, a 15-year-old amateur who led the Canadian contingent after the first round, maintained a commendable performance, drawing praise from Henderson for her exceptional play and setting high expectations for the remainder of the tournament.