LONDON, Ont. – For every Tiger Woods, there’s a Michelle Wie, a Lexi Thompson and a Lydia Ko. Much-hyped teenage stars are all over women’s golf.

Thompson won a major championship at the age of 19, and Ko was 15 and 16 when she won the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in 2012 and 2013. Canada has a phenom of its own in Brooke Henderson, the 16-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., who recently finished second at the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Explaining why women find the spotlight in golf so much younger than men has a lot do with body mechanics and a little to do with advances in teaching and technology that have been refined over time.

“The simple fact is that girls develop earlier than boys,” Golf Canada’s women’s amateur coach Tristan Mullally said. “They reach their peak height faster, they develop in terms of their end body type faster.

“By the time they’re 15, 16, 17, they’re not going to change as much as a boy will, so they have an opportunity to be a little bit more consistent and to maybe reach some of those things earlier.”

Mullally added that a lot of teenage boys can’t keep up with full-grown men on the PGA Tour because it’s hard to drive the ball 300-plus yards consistently. Canadians Mike Weir, Graham DeLaet and David Hearn are in the majority of men who have taken longer to find their games.

Weir won the 2003 Masters at 32, while the 32-year-old DeLaet is only now enjoying his prime. Hearn took until just before his 34th birthday before he made the cut at a major tournament.

Younger women can match older peers easier, in part because they play on shorter courses.

“If you can hit out there 240, 250 (yards), you can really compete at a young age,” Mullally said.

But the physics of women developing earlier than men is no new phenomenon. What’s different is how girls with any golfing potential get extra attention to help refine those skills.

“They’re more prepared to play professional golf than I was when I came out,” said 36-year-old Cristie Kerr, who has two majors among her 16 career LPGA Tour victories. “I just had my dad. They have their swing coaches, their mental coaches, their trainers, everything. They have sponsorships when they come out and we didn’t. It’s a lot different world for them.”

As a member of Golf Canada’s national team, Henderson has two coaches in Mullally and Ann Carroll, a fitness trainer, a physiotherapist, a nutritionist and a psychologist.

“It’s an amazing support system,” Henderson said. “I think the stronger your support system, you don’t have to focus on things outside of golf. You can just focus on your golf game itself.”

When Karrie Webb was getting into golf, her first clubs were an adult set cut down to fit in her hands. Webb, 39, went on to win seven majors on the LPGA Tour.

The first of those didn’t come until the age of 24, and Webb sees the future faces of the sport and knows they’re much more ready to compete at 16 or 17 than she was.

The average age of 2014 major champions on the LPGA Tour is 25, compared to 28.5 on the PGA Tour. Beyond just those winners, the average LPGA rookie age is 23.6 and the average PGA rookie is 28.8.

“I always joke around like, ‘Is it 12?’ Because I’m way past 12,” said American Danielle Kang, who at 21 wasn’t close to being one of the oldest players at last week’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

“I think the guys our age are still very, very talented, it’s just there’s more competition that are in their 30s to 40s for men,” Kang said. “I mean, they’re still shooting 10-under par. But I think this game is growing, so there are much younger players that are coming up faster.”

Wie had a big role in sparking this trend, qualifying for the U.S. Amateur at the age of 10 and becoming the youngest player to make an LPGA cut at 13. She validated a lot of the hype by winning the U.S. Open this year at 24 and is currently ranked fifth in the world.

Even if Wie took some time to go from prodigy to major champion, her success story is an attractive one for young female golfers.

“You can see it on TV, it’s become almost a celebrity to be an athlete now, where maybe in the past it wasn’t like that,” Mullally said. “There’s definitely a bigger interest in the amount of players who see that as being a goal for their career has definitely increased.”

While LPGA purses are well below those on the men’s tour, there’s still plenty of money to be won. So Yeon Ryu earned more than US$300,000 for winning the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open on Sunday, and 20-year-old rookie Jaye Marie Green – 100th on the LPGA Tour money list – has made $62,346 so far this year.

Before making a living on tour, most women have successful amateur careers. Five-time major winner Inbee Park said the expansion of quality junior and amateur tournaments has helped speed up the learning curve.

Of course not every teenage golf star finds success like Wie, Thompson and Ko. Park, who was on the LPGA Tour at the age of 18, said the key is for young players not to lose interest in what they’re doing.

Four-time LPGA Tour winner Lorie Kane is trying to help the next generation of Canadian golfers not just keep interest but blossom into stars. The Charlottetown native’s advice to Henderson – “Don’t read your own press” – goes for others, as well.

“I think it’s just stay out of their own way, and that comes from encouragement from the adults in their lives and not to make a big deal out of what they’re doing,” Kane said.

LONDON, Ont. – While those close to Jennifer Ha are well aware of her talents and potential on the golf course, the 20-year-old amateur brought it to the attention of a much larger audience this weekend at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

With a world-class 156 player field – including 15 of this country’s finest golfers – competing at the London Hunt and Country Club, Ha impressed golf fans in attendance and those watching across the country by being one of the four Canadians to make the cut.

According to her Kent State head coach, Greg Robertson, it was her display of determination and mental toughness that was most impressive.

“What sticks out in my mind was that she had a double bogey on the first hole of the tournament, and then played the next 17 holes 2-under,” he said about the talented amateur from Calgary.

“And coming down the stretch in the second round, she was right on the cutline at 1-under and birdied the last two holes to make the cut by a couple of shots. I was very impressed by the way she handled those situations, added Robertson, who caddied for Ha over the weekend.

Ha’s head coach from the Canadian national team, Tristan Mullally, was also impressed by her strong showing against the LPGA Tour’s finest.

“This week Jennifer had 18 birdies and proved that she has that ability to compete with the best,” said Mullally.

“She also had quite a few mistakes,” he acknowledged of Ha’s 16 bogeys and 1 double bogey. “But if all you have to do is tidy up some mistakes and make a couple of small adjustments, those are easy things to take care of.

“Golf Canada and Kent state we’ve worked well together and we work for the best thing for Jennifer,” Mullally noted about the importance of both programs to Ha’s development. “She works really hard and takes input really well; and we are fortunate to have a player like her who does that.

“She’s got a really bright future; she’s just got to push on and work hard and continue to improve,”Mullally added about the young golfer.

When asked about her impressive showing at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, Ha credits the recent success of her teammates, Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners, for inspiring her to step up her game.

“We all go to Kent State and we’re all on Team Canada; so Taylor and Corey are like brothers to me,” she noted with a smile.

“Seeing them play so well, it made me feel proud and more confident in my abilities; and it has motivated me to do better,” Ha added.

Ha also credits the support and resources provided through Golf Canada and the Kent State golf program for allowing her to develop her potential on the golf course; and putting her on the right path to success.

Greg Robertson, Jennifer Ha, Tristan Mullally (David Li)

Looking towards the future, the Kent State senior has ambitions of competing full-time on the LPGA tour.

“I’m 20 years old and I’m about to graduate, so I’m definitely thinking about going to Q-school next year or the year after; and try to be back here as a professional,” said Ha after her final round of the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

However, the talented young amateur understands there is still a lot of hard work required to realize her goal.

“I think ball striking is the best part of my game and I love working on it,” Ha pointed out. “Definitely, think I need to work more on my putting and on the mental stuff; and gain a lot more experience by playing in professional events like these.”

While Ha’s potential and talents may have been known to her coaches and a select number of keen golf insiders, her recent performance in London, Ont. has many more observers of the game singings her praises – including one of the LPGA’s biggest stars.

After seeing Ha compete up close and personal, Lexi Thompson believes the young Canadian has what it takes to make it on the LPGA tour one day.

“She’s got a great personality and you can tell she has a really good attitude on the golf course which is important out here,” said Thompson, who was grouped with Ha in the final round of the CP Women’s Open.

“She hits it pretty far and she putts it well too,” added the American superstar about Ha. “She’s going to keep on improving with hard work I’m sure; and I think she’s going to be a great player someday.”

NANJING, China – The Canadian duo of Maddie Szeryk and Tony Gil combined for a 2-over 74 in Monday’s alternate shot round at the Zhongshan International Golf Club to remain tied for 17^th at the Youth Olympic Games.

Szeryk, an 18-year-old dual-citizen of Canada and the U.S., and Gil, a 16-year-old Vaughan, Ont. native, struggled to move up the leaderboard with the difficulty of foursomes (also known as alternate shot) format. The pair found trouble early, carding a double-bogey on the par-5 2^nd hole. They had a tough time climbing back after that, managing just one birdie that came on the par-5 11^th.

This was the first official alternate shot event that Gil and Szeryk have participated in. Team Coach, Robert Ratcliffe, remains optimistic for the team to recover in tomorrow’s combined score event and to continue learning.

“I’m helping them focus on learning from the experience no matter what the result,” said Ratcliffe, also Team Canada’s Development Squad Lead Coach. “Tomorrow’s rounds are aggregate, so there will be a lot of moving on the leaderboard and we are looking forward to it.”

Having already played better-ball (69) and alternate shot (74), the team sits at 1-under par overall and are looking ahead to the final round of combined score.

The lead is currently held by Denmark’s Pinnerup Axe Pultz and Emily Kristine Pedersen, who carded matching 65s to sit at 14-under par.

Szeryk and Gil are set to tee-off in the early time slot once more, this time off the 10^th tee. They are scheduled to start at 8:30 am (CST).

Click here for scoring.

LONDON, Ont. – Brooke Henderson earned herself more than just a couple of commemorative coins as the low amateur and the low Canadian.

By making the cut at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, the 16-year-old phenom got to play with two LPGA major winners: teenage idol Lexi Thompson and legend Laura Davies. Finishing 2 under for the tournament was gravy compared to how Henderson believes she benefited from the weekend.

“You learn so much more being able to play the weekend because it is different than the first two days,” Henderson said Sunday. “You get to play with the best players. It’s a great experience and I’m very grateful to have been in the position.”

After missing the cut in this event the past two years, Henderson made it 4-for-4 getting to the weekend on the LPGA Tour in 2014. The Smiths Falls, Ont., native tied for 10th at the U.S. Women’s Open, 26th at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and 45th at the Manulife Financial LPGA Championship.

“I’ve played more LPGA Tour events over the last couple of years and I’m getting more comfortable,” Henderson said. “The more weekends I can play, the more experience I really do gain. I get to know the pros a little bit better and get to play with some new ones and really learn from them.”

With a 2-under 286, Henderson put up the best score by a Canadian at this tournament since Lorie Kane’s 5-under 283 in 2010. Though Kane missed the cut this time, the 49-year-old stuck around as part of her work with the title sponsor, Canadian Pacific, and followed Henderson for her final five holes Saturday.

“That support from such a veteran on the tour and such a role model of mine is amazing,” Henderson said.

Henderson finished two strokes ahead of fellow amateur Jennifer Ha of Calgary, who shot a 74 Sunday to finish at even par. Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., who had the best round of any Canadian with a 67 Thursday, finished with a 76 to drop to 3 over, while Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. shot a 78 and finished at 7 over.

Ha, who goes “back to reality” by returning to school at Kent State University in Ohio on Monday, was glad just to be one of four Canadians to play the weekend.

“I mean, who can’t be happy with a made cut at a professional event in my home country?” Ha said. “I’ve never played an event like this and made the cut, so it was crazy.”

Ha said she felt the love from Canadian fans, but the biggest gallery all four days belonged to Henderson. She never wilted in the spotlight, which will likely only get brighter as her national and international profile increases.

Beginning Monday, Henderson will step out of that spotlight and to the side and bag of her sister, Brittany, who will be at qualifying school to try to get onto the LPGA Tour. Brooke Henderson flies to California on Monday to begin her caddying duties at Q-school.

“I love caddying for my sister, and she caddies for me a lot, so it’s nice to return the favour,” Henderson said. “It will be nice to go out and scout out the course for Q-school because hopefully I’ll be there in the next year or two.”

After that, Henderson will go to Japan to represent Canada along with Augusta James (Bath, Ont.) and Brittany Marchand (Orangeville, Ont.) at the World Amateur Team Championships. When she’s done there it’s back to school and a 17th birthday in September.

“It’ll be cool, nice to see my friends again and to get back to Smiths Falls will be nice,” Henderson said.

Brooke Henderson and Marlene Stewart Streit (Golf Canada/ Bernard Brault)

NANJING, China – Canada’s duo of Maddie Szeryk and Tony Gil have opened the Summer Youth Olympics team event with a 3-under 69 at the Zhongshan International Club on Sunday.

The opening round, which was better-ball format, saw Gil (Vaughan, Ont.) and Szeryk come in at even par through nine holes before turning it up on the back with three birdies.

Together, Gil and Szeryk sit eight strokes back of Korea’s leading pair, Soyoung Lee (individual gold medalist) and Eun Ho Youm.

Action will resume tomorrow in Monday’s alternate shot format. Gil and Szeryk are set to tee-off in the first group of the day at 8:30 am (CST).

Click here for scoring.

LONDON, Ont. – The role models Canadian golfers need are all around them at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open.

For 20-year-old Jennifer Ha of Calgary, one of them is 16-year-old star Brooke Henderson. Ha and Henderson are roommates this week and were the only two amateurs to make the cut.

After three rounds, Ha is still chasing Henderson to be the low Canadian and the low amateur after shooting a 1-over 72 Saturday to drop to 2 under for the tournament. Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., shot a 71 to get to 4 under.

“Brooke’s unreal and she’s No. 2 in the world (among amateurs), so it’d be great if I got a chance to catch up her,” Ha said.

Henderson got to play with one of her role models in 19-year-old Lexi Thompson, who was a teenage golfing phenom at the age of 12. Unprompted, Henderson glowed about playing with Thompson.

“It was a lot of fun being able to play with Lexi today,” Henderson said. “Lexi I’ve always looked up to. She’s definitely a big person in the women’s game and someone that you can look up to and I definitely have.”

Henderson, who again attracted the biggest fan support at London Hunt and Country Club as the most prominent Canadian name in the field, called Thompson one of her idols.

“Just being able to watch her and learn a little bit from her, it was fun,” Henderson said. “I talked to her a little bit today. I asked her a few questions and got a few things answered that I wanted to know.”

Henderson also noticed Lorie Kane following her for the final five holes of her round. The 49-year-old Kane has offered plenty of advice to Henderson during her blossoming stardom.

“She is a huge role model for me,” Henderson said of Kane. “A lot of the women out here are like that. They are really nice and they support young people.”

Four Canadians made the cut, though Henderson was the only one to shoot under par Saturday. Jennifer Kirby (Paris, Ont.) shot a 76 to drop to 1 under for the tournament, and Sue Kim (Langley, B.C.) shot a 74 to move to 1 over.

Ha would have been even par had it not been for a bogey on the 18th hole. But she was happy to be able to get her game together after being 3 over through six.

The Kent State University student returns to school in Ohio next week but is spending this weekend honouring football player Jason Bitsko, who was found dead in his off-campus apartment Wednesday. Ha has 54 – Bitsko’s number – written on each of her golf balls.

Coming into the tournament, Ha’s goal was simply to make the cut. Now that she has, she can set her sights on competing with Henderson and remembering Bitsko, the Golden Flashes’ starting centre who the school said died of an undetermined medical issue at the age of 21.

“I think my main goal right now is just to have the time of my life, Ha said. ”It would be unreal to finish as the low amateur, but I’m out here to have fun for this week and to honour Jason.“

Henderson also pegged making the cut as a pre-tournament expectation and now wants to “climb the leaderboard.”

“Today, 1 under, I didn’t back up, but I don’t think I moved forward too much,” Henderson said. “So tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

LONDON, Ont. – Safely in position to make the cut after her second round at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, amateur Brooke Henderson still talked like playing on the weekend was in doubt.

“I left a lot of opportunities out there and missed a lot of birdies, but that’s OK,” she said. “If I play the weekend, we’ll get them.”

Saying “if” wasn’t necessary. After shooting a 1-under-par 71 to get to 3 under for the tournament, the 16-year-old will get those opportunities Saturday and Sunday.

Henderson was one of four Canadians to make the cut, along with Jennifer Kirby, amateur Jennifer Ha and Sue Kim. Henderson will move on after not making it past the second round in this event the past two years.

“I’m a lot more comfortable on the big stage,” Henderson said. “It’s awesome, because when I was out here at 14, I was pretty nervous and didn’t really know anybody. Now, I know quite a few of the pros and they know me. I’m more comfortable in the big setting with all the fans and all the cameras.”

Henderson has to be with all the attention on her this week at London Hunt and Country Club. Playing in a group with Kirby of Paris, Ont., and Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Henderson was still the main draw.

Following a second-place finish at the U.S. Amateur and a tie for 10th at the U.S. Women’s Open, Henderson has high expectations on her as the future face of Canadian golf. She doesn’t know what her secret is, but the soon-to-be 17-year-old doesn’t flinch at the exposure she’s getting.

“It’s a challenge to be able to play well for (fans), and I love it,” the Smiths Falls, Ont., native said. “I know they’re all cheering for me, so really it’s positive energy.”

Kirby used some of that positive energy to remain as the low Canadian at 5 under with an even-par 72 Friday. That had her 10 strokes off the lead, held by South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu.

“I didn’t make a lot of birdie putts, but I made a lot of par saves,” Kirby said. “Hopefully I can go a little lower on the weekend.”

Ha, who’s from Calgary, had the best morning round of any Canadian with a 3-under 69 to get her to 3 under for the tournament. Kim of Langley, B.C., just made it a 1 under.

Lee-Bentham, Sara-Maude Juneau of Fossambault, Que., Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ont., and Elizabeth Tong of Thornhill, Ont., missed by a stroke at even par.

Lorie Kane (Charlottetown), Alena Sharp (Hamilton) and Jessica Wallace (Langley) were 1 over, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc (Sherbrooke, Que.) was 2 over, Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, B.C.) was 3 over, Erica Rivard (Tecumseh, Ont.) was 4 over and Nicole Vandermade (Brantford, Ont.) was 5 over.

NANJING, China – After three days of stroke play, Canada’s Maddie Szeryk and Tony Gil have finished T15 and T22 in their respective divisions.

Szeryk, a dual-citizen of Canada and the U.S., carded three consecutive rounds of 74 to finish at 6-over par in a tie for 15^th.  The 18-year-old had a steady final round, posting 16 pars to go along with two bogeys, putting her at 2-over par for the day.

The gold medal for the girls went to Korea’s Soyoung Lee, who finished at 14-under par. Silver was won by Ssu-Chia Cheng of Taiwan, and bronze by Supamas Sangchan of Thailand.

In the boys division, Tony Gil of Vaughan, Ont. struggled to mirror the success of his Tuesday’s opening round 69 – the 16-year-old posted a 4-over 76. In the end, the Team Canada Development Squad member finished at 4-over (69-75-76), 15 strokes back of the gold medal winner, Italy’s Renato Paratore, the no.5 ranked male amateur in the world.

Team coach, Robert Ratcliffe has identified some areas that they will focus on to improve results heading into the team competition later this week.

“We are really going to be working on some putting in the next few days,” said Ratcliffe, also Team Canada’s Lead Development Squad Coach. “The greens are very soft and a bit slower here, which caused some struggles for both Maddie and Tony.”

Team competition will run for three days, consisting of a different format each round. Sunday’s opening round will be better-ball, followed by alternate shot, and then by combined score.

Team competition will kick off at 8:30 am (CST) on Sunday.

Click here for girls results.

Click here for boys results.

NANJING, China – Canadians Tony Gil and Maddie Szeryk failed to make much ground on Wednesday’s second round at Zhongshan International Golf Club – both athletes are tied for 13^th heading into Thursday’s final stroke play round.

Gil, a 16-year-old Vaughan, Ont. native, posted a 3-over 75, dropping eight spots down the leaderboard. The Team Canada Development Squad member was in good shape early on, sitting at 1-under through eight holes until double-bogeying the par-4 9^th.

Gil was unable to bounce back after that, posting four bogeys on the back nine to sit at even par overall for the tournament. He will look to bring more flashes from his opening round (which featured a hole-in-one) into Thursday’s final. He currently sits eight strokes back of the leader, Viktor Hovland of Norway.

On the girls side, 18-year-old Maddie Szeryk matched her opening round score of 74, leaving her at 4-over par.

The 2013 Canadian Junior Girls Champion caught fire on the back nine, opening with three consecutive birdies. The run didn’t last, however, as Szeryk double-bogeyed the 14^th and 15^th.

Szeryk now sits 11 strokes back of the leader, Korea’s Soyoung Lee.

The third and final stroke play round resumes tomorrow. Szeryk will lead off the girls in the opening group at 8:30 am (CST). Tony Gil will tee-off at 9:30 am (CST).

Click here for boys results

Click here for girls results

LONDON, Ont. – At the age of 16, Brooke Henderson gets it.

The amateur from Smiths Falls, Ont., is well aware of the high expectations that come from finishing in the top 10 at a major tournament and emerging as the best young Canadian women’s golfers.

“I see the pressure and I hear it,” Henderson said. “I hear that I’m the face of Canadian golf, but I’m just trying to improve and trying to get better.”

Henderson doesn’t seem to be buying into the hype that she has created for herself. With Lorie Kane about to turn 50, she’s considered the future of the sport in Canada, even with Alena Sharp, Sue Kim, Jennifer Kirby and Rebecca Lee-Bentham already established on the LPGA Tour.

She goes into this week’s Canadian Pacific Women’s Open at London Hunt and Country Club with all that perspective to go with her experience. Henderson missed the cut the past two years in Edmonton and Vancouver and understands what it’s all about this time, playing about a seven-hour drive from where she grew up.

“Definitely there is pressure,” Henderson said. “But I’m excited to be able to play for my family and friends and show them what I can do. They’re out there cheering for me, and I know every shot they’re going to be happy either way.”

Henderson set her expectation at making the cut and then “hopefully climb up the leader board a little bit.” That’s a realistic goal two weeks after she finished second to Kristen Gillman at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

But this is a different animal for Henderson as the home-country girl who’s blossoming into a star. On her way from the putting green to the driving range on Wednesday, several fans stopped her for autographs, photos and or just to chat.

When she tees off just before 8:30 a.m. for Thursday’s first round, Henderson will get to focus in on just golf. Her caddy, longtime family friend Bunk Lee, will do his part to keep Henderson focused.

“I think Brooke is very good at relaxing herself,” Lee said. “She’s been exposed to this enough, and she takes care of most of it. I’m just there for reassurance and making sure I’m doing my job as the caddy and trying to provide the best environment for her to perform in and it all takes care of itself.”

Kane recalled being overwhelmed at times during her first appearances at the Canadian Women’s Open – then called the du Maurier Classic – worried that she couldn’t live up to external expectations.

The four-time champion on the LPGA Tour said she has no doubt Henderson is prepared for the atmosphere she’s about to face and the future she’s embarking on.

“Brooke, she’s hard-working, very dedicated to what she does,” Kane said in a phone interview last week. “Brooke’s career can be what Brooke wants it to be. The sky’s the limit. She’s got a great head on her shoulders, she’s a very level-headed kid.”

That came across Wednesday in her pre-tournament news conference during which she fielded a handful of questions about her place in history and the hefty weight on her young shoulders. In the short-term – the next few days – Henderson expects to feel more comfortable now that she has gotten to know more professional colleagues and what to expect.

In the long term, Henderson doesn’t consider herself standing alone as Canada’s only hope in women’s golf.

“Definitely I think the game in Canada is growing, and there are some young pros coming up like Sue Kim, and Jennifer Kirby and Rebecca Lee-Bentham that are great players and have full status on the tour this year,” she said. “Maybe they haven’t played as well as they would have liked, but I think the future is bright for them.”

It could be even brighter for Henderson if she continues down her developmental path. Golf Canada’s Brent McLaughlin said just like with men’s golfer Mike Weir, Canadian fans “need to rally around heroes” and considers Henderson one of those.

“We’re so proud of Brooke. … Any time you see young talents just excel, you’re proud of them,” McLaughlin said on a conference call last week. “(Fans) need to have a reason to watch. … It makes kids want to be like them. We need that in our sport. We’ve very fortunate, very lucky and very proud.”

Henderson is one of 15 Canadians in the field this week, along with pros Kane, Sharp, Lee-Bentham, Kirby, Kim, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Sara-Maude Juneau, Samantha Richdale, Nicole Vandermade, Natalie Gleadall, Erica Rivard, Jessica Wallace and fellow amateurs Jennifer Ha and Elizabeth Tong.

No Canadian woman has won this tournament since Jocelyne Bourassa captured the title at the inaugural edition in 1973. For 22 years from 1979 through 2000 it was a major, and it still carries that importance to Henderson.

“It used to be a major back in the day, and to me it still is one,” she said. “It’s very close to home. It’s our national championship.”

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, at 17 a two-time defending champion at Canada’s national championship, knows from experience that Henderson has had to repeatedly answer the question about when she’s turning pro. Henderson said Wednesday it’s still her plan to attend the University of Florida with the hope of having an LPGA Tour career in the future.

That means for now Henderson – a Team Canada member – is one of the faces of amateur women’s golf, something she has accepted.

“Of course there is a little bit of pressure, but I enjoy it,” Henderson said. “I love a challenge.”