(Orlando) One of Brooke Henderson’s goals this season was to give herself a chance to win more consistently. The Canadian is off to a great start to the season, as she built a four-shot lead at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions after two rounds.
Playing with Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, who plays in the celebrity side of the tournament, Henderson had four consecutive birdies from the second hole, was nine under par when she came to the sixth tee and played a flawless round of 66, six under par on the Lake Nova course.
The other 28 professionals on this plateau reserved for tournament winners in 2022 were quickly forced to play catch-up golf. Henderson’s closest pursuers for the third round will be American Nelly Korda, England’s Charley Hull and Taiwan’s Wei-Ling Hsu, all of whom shot 69.
Henderson was sensational from the start, hitting a few approach shots near the flags, setting the table to two birdies early in the course, and coming close to stalling his 171-yard approach shot with the help of a 6-iron in the fourth. But what made his round so memorable to him was playing with Sorenstam.
“I think I’ll remember it all my life,” said the Ontarian, who had just one bogey in 36 holes. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. She’s a great player, very calm and we can all learn from her. »
Korda headed to the practice green after her round, missing several putts that looked favorable on her front nine, although she had four birdies from the 10e.
Hull said her momentum was not on point and she had to work hard to play under 70. She delivered a 69 despite a bogey following three putts on his last hole. With Hsu, she is five moves behind Henderson.
“These greens are so fast compared to the ones I’m used to,” she defended. I thought the Americans had a big advantage today, but I love England too much to move elsewhere. »
Hsu had six birdies, but none after 13e.
Ex-tennis player Mardy Fish leads the celebrity rankings. He returned a card equivalent to a score of 67 with the modified Stableford used in Orlando. He has 78 points, nine ahead of Sorenstam and Army veteran Chad Pfeifer.