Brooke Henderson staying level-headed after steady first round of Canadian Open

CALGARY — Brooke Henderson didn’t even bring a sweater. The previous three days at Earl Grey Golf Club have been hot, extremely hot. Thursday, however, featured a brisk wind that pushed the temperatures to the low teens and haze from the nearby wildfires hung on tight. You couldn’t have even thought about preparing for the opening round’s conditions — Brittany Henderson told Sportsnet that the forecasted wind was from the south, but it ended up being from the north all day — you just had to go grind it out.

Henderson shot an even-par 72 and was just four shots back of the early lead at the CPKC Women’s Open held by Lauren Coughlin. “It was interesting. Not really the hot start that I wanted to get off to, but felt like we fought pretty hard,” Henderson said of her opener.

Henderson’s first tee shot of the day ended up in the rough and she could only bunt her approach about 70 yards down the fairway leading to an opening bogey. She made 10 straight pars before notching her first birdie of the day on No. 4. She gave that right back with a bogey on the par-3 5th but then added another birdie on No. 6 to get back to even.

She hit only 11 of 18 greens and she wasn’t completely pleased with her first round, but she wasn’t necessarily upset either.

“(A score) was out there today. I just, like I said, didn’t really get off to the start that I was looking for. But even par, didn’t really give any away, which is good,” Henderson said. “I feel like I kind of learned a lot out there, and feel like I gained confidence, which is a great feeling.

“The crowd was amazing. So much support even early this morning. When I did make some birdies they were very loud and very energetic which I loved, so hopefully I can do more of that tomorrow.”