From a Correspondent
Evian-les-Bains, France: After a day that saw as many as five players tied for the lead, it was Brooke Henderson who ultimately outlasted them all.
The 24-year-old from Canada nailed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship by one stroke over American LPGA Tour rookie Sophia Schubert.
With the win, Henderson, who shot a final-round even-par 71 to finish at -17 overall, claimed her second major title and the first since the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
India’s lone LPGA star Aditi Ashok missed the weekend cut on 1-over 143 (71-72).
While Henderson (64-64-68-71) had always said that she was happy with her career, the exhilaration – and relief – that came with the victory was as plain as day.
“To be sitting here a two-time major championship is just an unreal feeling,” said Henderson after the win.
“My coach, my dad, and my mom’s support, and of course Brit (Henderson, her sister and caddie) who’s out there all the time with me, it’s just amazing, and it’s going to be really cool when we can all celebrate together.”
Advantage gone early
Henderson started the day with a two-stroke lead over Korea’s So Yeon Ryu, but the advantage didn’t even last one hole when Henderson opened with a bogey to Ryu’s birdie.
The next 17 holes were a tenuous see-saw of major golf, with Henderson, Ryu, Schubert, Nelly Korda and Mao Saigoall holding a portion of the lead.
Henderson stumbled again with a rare four-putt for double bogey at No. 6, a moment that could have rattled any lesser player.
“I tried not to let it bother me too much, but obviously that does shake you up a little bit,” she said.” Her positive thinking clearly worked, as she bounced right back with a birdie on the next hole.
Henderson then turned on the gas on the last five holes.
As Henderson was pushing her way back into contention, Schubert was playing solid golf in just her second major championship appearance of the season.
In the group ahead of Henderson, the 27-year-old from Tennessee birdied 11, 12 and 15 to pull to -16 overall.
“On 14, I kind of peeked at the leaderboard and saw that I was T1. After that I just made an effort not to look,” said Schubert, the 2017 US Women’s Amateur champion.
“I didn’t want to know and just keep playing my game.”
Canadian success
Henderson became the first Canadian golfer, male or female, with more than one major title, and extended her lead as the all-time winningest professional Canadian golfer with 12 victories.
And with the $1 million winner’s cheque, Henderson moved to $10,237,150 in career earnings, becoming the 24th player in LPGA Tour history to cross the $10 million threshold.
“In 2016, winning the first major changed my life. My world ranking shot up and I just received a ton more attention from fans and media.
“It also made me feel like I really belonged out here and that I could contend for big, major championships and compete against the best in the world, which is an amazing feeling,” said Henderson.
“It has been a long time and getting off to a fast start early this week, it just felt great to be at the top of the leaderboard at a major. I just tried to take that excitement as far as I could.”
Five players finished tied for third at -15 – past Evian champions Lydia Ko and Hyo Joo Kim, as well as Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull and Mao Saigo.
Also read: Best-ever finish on LET for Vani Kapoor in Netherlands event
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