A local teenager is playing against the best golfers in the world this weekend, as Brooke Henderson’s hometown swells with pride.
The 14-year-old is competing in the Canadian Open in B.C., with about a dozen golfers watching her on national TV at her local golf club.
“I get emotional, I really do,” said golfer Helen MacEwan. “She’s such a wonderful gal and if you think she’s a phenom now, just wait until she gets through the collegiate coaching – she’s going to go places.”
“This is really a thrill for all of us, we’ve been watching Brooke play golf out here since she was seven,” said Karen Kerr.
“She used to push a golf cart and you couldn’t see her for the cart, so to actually see her on TV with all the women she wants to emulate . . . we’re just kind of overwhelmed by it.”
Henderson shot a five over par 77 in the first round Thursday, with a birdie and six bogies. She’s ten shots back of leader Na Yeon Choi of South Korea.
Round two airs tape-delayed on TSN starting at 2 p.m., with Henderson potentially out of the tournament if she fails to make the cut.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Ellen Mauro
