BOOST FOR GB AND I ASTOR TROPHY DEFENCE
Top-ranked Canadian amateur Brooke Henderson turns professional
The World Women's No 1 female amateur, Brooke MacKenzie Henderson (pictured above), has decided to turn professional.
The 17-year-old Canadian, who has Scottish blood in her veins, made the announcement today after a banner year in which she tied for 10th in the U.S. Women’s Open, made the cut in all four LPGA events she played, finished runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur and Canadian Amateur championships, and won seven amateur titles and two professional events.
Henderson had verbally committed to play at the University of Florida, beginning in Fall 2015, but never signed her National Letter of Intent.
The teen’s biggest hurdle will be where to play in 2015. Earlier this year Henderson petitioned the LPGA to waive its age limit (18) for qualifying school, but the tour denied her request. Henderson will be 18 by the final stage of 2015 Q-School, so she’ll be limited to six sponsor exemptions apiece on the LPGA and Symetra tours.
She could also play pro events in Canada and Europe.
Henderson is the latest young female athlete to sign on with IMG.
"This is a really exciting day for me. I’m turning pro and starting to live the dream I’ve lived my whole life to do," Henderson said in a teleconference hosted after the announcement.
Henderson has been an integral part of the Canadian National Team. She won the individual title at the Women’s World Amateur Championship earlier this fall. Her success in Canada includes two professional titles on the Canadian Women’s Tour and the 2014 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship.
"I joined the team in 2011 as a 14-year-old, and good things have happened since I joined that team," she said.
Henderson has signed with Ping and will continue to be supported by Golf Canada’s young professional program.
She said Thursday she wasn't sure what events her schedule might hold for 2015 – aside from the U.S. Women's Open – or where it might take her. She plans to travel with older sister Brittany, who failed to make the 72-hole cut at LPGA Q-Scool, when she can. The girls might even caddie for each other on off weeks. "This is a huge decision but I have my family and supporters and we didn’t take it lightly," said Henderson, who has one semester of school left and hasn't ruled out the possibility of getting a college degree down the road.
EDITOR: Brooke Henderson's absence from the Canada team is a boost for GB and I's hopes of retaining the Astor Trophy in Australia next month. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are GB and I's opponents in the international team event played every four years.
The 17-year-old Canadian, who has Scottish blood in her veins, made the announcement today after a banner year in which she tied for 10th in the U.S. Women’s Open, made the cut in all four LPGA events she played, finished runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur and Canadian Amateur championships, and won seven amateur titles and two professional events.
Henderson had verbally committed to play at the University of Florida, beginning in Fall 2015, but never signed her National Letter of Intent.
The teen’s biggest hurdle will be where to play in 2015. Earlier this year Henderson petitioned the LPGA to waive its age limit (18) for qualifying school, but the tour denied her request. Henderson will be 18 by the final stage of 2015 Q-School, so she’ll be limited to six sponsor exemptions apiece on the LPGA and Symetra tours.
She could also play pro events in Canada and Europe.
Henderson is the latest young female athlete to sign on with IMG.
"This is a really exciting day for me. I’m turning pro and starting to live the dream I’ve lived my whole life to do," Henderson said in a teleconference hosted after the announcement.
Henderson has been an integral part of the Canadian National Team. She won the individual title at the Women’s World Amateur Championship earlier this fall. Her success in Canada includes two professional titles on the Canadian Women’s Tour and the 2014 PGA of Canada Women’s Championship.
"I joined the team in 2011 as a 14-year-old, and good things have happened since I joined that team," she said.
Henderson has signed with Ping and will continue to be supported by Golf Canada’s young professional program.
She said Thursday she wasn't sure what events her schedule might hold for 2015 – aside from the U.S. Women's Open – or where it might take her. She plans to travel with older sister Brittany, who failed to make the 72-hole cut at LPGA Q-Scool, when she can. The girls might even caddie for each other on off weeks. "This is a huge decision but I have my family and supporters and we didn’t take it lightly," said Henderson, who has one semester of school left and hasn't ruled out the possibility of getting a college degree down the road.
EDITOR: Brooke Henderson's absence from the Canada team is a boost for GB and I's hopes of retaining the Astor Trophy in Australia next month. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are GB and I's opponents in the international team event played every four years.
Labels: Amateur Ladies
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | 10:46:00 pm
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