With apologies to a stunning LPGA Tour field, the vast majority of eyes at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club will be on the Canadian golf star from nearby Smiths Falls, Ont., when the tournament begins Tuesday. Organizers are expecting record crowds — and it simply wouldn’t happen without Brooke’s boost. “Not having this tournament for three years was almost crazy,” Henderson said Tuesday. “Just to have the love and support of all the people out here — it’s just been practice the last couple of days and there were so many people out there. It’s just an incredible feeling.” During a one-on-one interview with Adam Stanley, Henderson got a good laugh when she looked up at a nearby big screen and saw an ad playing as she answered a question about the face of the tournament. Henderson, 24, was the star attraction at the same course in 2017 — she called it “a great learning experience” — before winning the tournament the following year in Regina. But there’s nothing like playing in Ottawa for Henderson, with bigger crowds featuring familiar faces (he had a big smile talking about reuniting with a Grade 5 teacher on Tuesday). Here’s a look at what Henderson had to say about various topics two days before her first shot: In her recent play (she is second in the LPGA Tour standings) “The last two months have been really great. To get two wins, including my second major championship (at the Evian Championship in France), is awesome. I feel like there’s a lot of momentum, a lot of confidence right now.” By participating in the video game “PGA Tour 2K23 Tiger Woods Edition”. “As an athlete you dream of being in a video game. It’s just the ultimate.” In managing her playing time at home “It’s definitely a balance between enjoying it and staying focused. I really have a job to do, so I’m going to try to do it the best I can. At the same time, just try to smile a little bit and enjoy what a crazy and amazing opportunity it really is.” . In a rule change in the spring that forces her to ditch her 48-inch driver (with the new maximum of 46) “I’m not a huge fan of this rule change, that’s for sure. I was able to find a 46″ driver that I really like. You know, especially the last few months it’s worked really well for me. So very happy that we were finally able to find one that is almost as good as my 48 in. Hopefully that rule will change again and I’ll go back to the old May guide.” About Canada’s Lori Kane playing her 30th and final CP Women’s Open “Lorie is incredible. Growing up, she was women’s golf in Canada. I looked up to her and she was a great friend and a great mentor, I think all of Canada loves her very much. It’s sad that it’s her last, but it’s amazing the career she’s had so did the life that changed”. On what jersey he’ll wear for the No. 17 Rink Hole — with hockey-style boards surrounding the tees (a concept first used at the men’s RBC Canadian Open) “I’ve got my Sens jersey on. I’m ready. I think it’s pretty cool. It’s fun. It takes some of the unique things that the men have at the RBC Canadian Open and brings it to the women’s side. . . . I played a practice today in the morning and hitting the boards. It’s going to be really loud, but it reminds me of the good old days of playing hockey. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and kind of a unique fan experience that I think all the people that come out will really enjoy.” . The last time he skated and played hockey (he was a goalie) “I skated in 2021 on a frozen lake in the winter. I haven’t played hockey since I stopped playing back when I was 14. It’s been a long time.” In her red shoes for the week “Skechers is taking care of me this week. Some really cool shoes with Canadian leaves, bright red, which I’m usually white, black, navy, so the red is a little bright. But I’m very excited and just proud to be Canadian and proud to play this week.” On Monday, 12-year-old Canadian Lucy Lynn qualified to become the youngest player in history to play in the event “I’ve been to a bunch of Monday qualifiers a few years ago and they’re tough, big competition. So it’s pretty impressive that he was able to get in. And then playing this week, I played in my first Canadian Open when I was 14 and it was just life-changing. I’m sure this week is going to be massive for her and she’s going to really enjoy it and it’s going to be a huge learning experience, which I think is great.”
