Brooke Henderson: A Legacy of Canadian Golf Excellence
Brooke Henderson has carved an indelible mark on the world of professional golf, emerging as one of the most successful athletes in Canadian history. From her early days as a determined teenager fighting for tour access to becoming a multi-major champion, Henderson's career is defined by record-breaking performances and a relentless drive for excellence on the LPGA Tour (Ladies Professional Golf Association).
Key Facts
- Total LPGA Victories: 14 wins.
- Major Championships: Two-time major winner (KPMG Women's PGA Championship and Evian Championship).
- Canadian Pioneer: First Canadian woman to win a major in 48 years (2016).
- Historic Milestone: Most victories on major tours of any professional golfer in Canadian history.
- Early Success: Became the third-youngest winner in LPGA history at the 2015 Cambia Portland Classic.
The Rise of a Prodigy (2015)
Henderson's professional ascent began with a series of challenging hurdles. At age 17, after being denied an age waiver for the LPGA Tour Q School (Qualifying School), she relied on sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifiers—competitive rounds played on the Monday before a tournament to earn a spot in the field.
Her breakthrough came in April 2015 at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, where she set a tournament record with a 36-hole score of 135 (−9). Later that year, she secured her first professional win at the Four Winds Invitational, earning a Symetra Tour card. In August 2015, she made history at the Cambia Portland Classic, winning by eight shots. This victory made her the first Canadian to win on the LPGA Tour since 2001 and granted her immediate membership on the tour.
Major Breakthroughs and Global Success
In June 2016, Henderson reached a career pinnacle by winning the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club. By defeating Lydia Ko in a playoff, the 18-year-old became the youngest winner of that major and the first Canadian woman to win a major in nearly five decades.
Her dominance continued as she became one of only three Canadians to win multiple LPGA events in a single season. She further expanded her reach in 2017, winning the Meijer LPGA Classic and securing her first victory outside North America at the McKayson New Zealand Women's Open.
Expanding the Trophy Cabinet (2018–2021)
Between 2018 and 2021, Henderson solidified her status as a global powerhouse. In 2018, she won the Lotte Championship and became the first Canadian in 45 years to win the Canadian Women's Open. By 2019, her victory at the Lotte Championship tied her for the most wins by a Canadian golfer on the LPGA or PGA Tours. Shortly after, her second win at the Meijer LPGA Classic established her as the most successful professional golfer in Canadian history in terms of major tour victories.
Recent Achievements and Resilience
Henderson's later career has been marked by both historic milestones and physical challenges. In 2022, she captured her second major title at the Evian Championship, becoming the first player in LPGA history to open a major with two consecutive rounds of 64 or lower. However, the season ended on a difficult note when she was forced to withdraw from the Pelican Women's Championship due to an upper back injury.
She returned to form in 2023, winning the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, where she led the field for all four rounds. Most recently, on August 24, 2025, Henderson claimed her second Canadian Women's Open title at the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, defeating Minjee Lee by a single stroke to reach 14 career LPGA wins.
Career Summary Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total LPGA Wins | 14 |
| Major Championships | KPMG Women's PGA (2016), Evian Championship (2022) |
| Notable Records | Most major tour wins by any Canadian professional golfer |
| Olympic Performance | 7th place (2016 Rio de Janeiro) |
| Key Honors | 3x Bobbie Rosenfeld Award winner |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many LPGA Tour wins does Brooke Henderson have?
As of August 2025, Brooke Henderson has achieved 14 victories on the LPGA Tour.
Which major championships has Brooke Henderson won?
Henderson has won two major championships: the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in 2016 and the Evian Championship in 2022.
What is Henderson's significance to Canadian golf?
She is the first Canadian woman to win a major in 48 years and holds the record for the most victories on major tours of any professional golfer in Canadian history.
How did Brooke Henderson start her professional career?
Because she was denied an age waiver for Q School in 2014, she began her career using sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifiers to enter LPGA events.
What is the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award?
It is an award given by The Canadian Press to the Female Athlete of the Year; Brooke Henderson has received this honor three times.