Henderson wins Canada national championship for second time

by Al Campbell

TORONTO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Brooke Henderson gave the home fans what they wanted Sunday, winning her second Canadian Women's Open title by outlasting Australian Lee Min-jee in a back-and-forth final-round battle to claim her national championship by one stroke.

The Canadian No. 1 made birdie at the par-four 14th hole at Mississauga Golf and Country Club to move one shot ahead of former world No. 1 Lee (68) and never looked back. She added another birdie at the par-five 17th on her way to a closing 67. Henderson finished 15-under 269 for her 14th LPGA Tour title, ending a victory drought of two years and seven months.

It marked the first time since 1914 that a Canadian golfer had won her national championship for a second time. Henderson, whose round included five birdies and a bogey, paid tribute to the fans who followed her throughout the week.

"I just loved the energy and all the red and white that was out here all week. Today the crowds were just phenomenal. They were all week but today especially. It's just so special," said the native of Smiths Falls, Ontario, a town with a population of 9,254 near the New York state border.

"It's been an amazing week. This year has not gone very well up to this point, and it just feels like this was meant to be. I felt like I got a lot of breaks out there today and this week, and I just felt like, yeah, it was meant to be. I'm just so happy that I can finally hold this trophy again."

Japan's Mao Saigo (66) edged halfway leader Akie Iwai (69) by one stroke to finish third. New Zealander Lydia Ko (67) tied for fifth with Belgian Manon De Roey (68).

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand (71) could not mount a challenge after her five-under opening round and finished tied for seventh with American Megan Khang (68).

Lee, winner of the Women's PGA Championship in June, called it a "really tough day" with the focus on her playing partner Henderson.

"I had a solid performance so can't really say anything. I kind of got out played I guess," said the Perth native, the world No. 4.

Aphrodite Deng Tiexin, a 15-year-old Chinese-Canadian, finished as the top amateur, closing at four under after a 73 for a share of 20th. She said her motivation came from competing alongside some of the best players in the world.

"That was really amazing. Wasn't really expecting to come into this week. I was just trying to make the cut. For it to end up like this is really cool," said Deng, the reigning U.S. Junior Girls' champion whose parents are from Shenyang.

"Yeah, my golf game is pretty good. It's not too far behind some of the best players in the world," added the Calgary native, ranked 22nd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking with her position set to rise. "I just have to keep working hard. I will practice and play likely a few more junior events to end the season."

It was a difficult finish for Chinese golfers. Beijing native Liu Yu fell from a tie for fifth to a share of 27th after shooting 75. Zhang Yahui carded a 70 for her best round of the week and tied for 48th. Yin Xiaowen (74) and Liu Yan (77) finished tied for 57th. ■