Brooke Henderson closes on Nelly Korda at the chilly Tournament of Champions

ORLANDO, Fla. On a cold Saturday by Florida requirements, a hearty group of Canadians serenaded Brooke Henderson with a Michelob Extremely-inspired rendition of the nationwide anthem after Henderson rolled in certainly one of her 4 birdies on the day at Lake Nona Golf and Nation Membership.

She mentioned she heard the followers — “It was superior” — and now she needs to present the group one thing extra to cheer in Sunday’s remaining spherical.

Henderson was simply two photographs again of chief Nelly Korda after the third spherical of the Hilton Grand Holidays Match of Champions, the LPGA Tour’s season-opening occasion. Her spherical featured what she referred to as a “bonus” birdie on the troublesome par-3 thirteenth that accompanied birdies on the primary, fifth and 14th holes.

Henderson’s 4-under 68 was tied for the low spherical of the day.

A lot of the LPGA’s greatest have been wearing outfits extra acceptable for a Canadian winter — tuques and puffer jackets — and Henderson wore an earmuff headband. However the 24-year-old performed comfortably within the circumstances and was excited to go bogey-free.

“I feel we simply performed sensible traces and I used to be capable of stand up and down after I wanted to,” she mentioned. “Going into tomorrow I am excited to be near the highest of the leaderboard and hopefully I can simply make numerous birdies and see what occurs.”

Henderson performed her Saturday spherical with former NHLer Jeremy Roenick and Blue Jays legend Joe Carter, who informed the Star that taking part in with Henderson had been on high of his golfing want listing. He mentioned he out-drove Henderson twice, “by solely about two yards every time.”

“(Brittany Henderson, Brooke’s caddy) and her are class acts and she or he simply has great recreation,” Carter mentioned. “She’s good.”

However Henderson goes to wish to leapfrog the most important title in ladies’s golf to win for the eleventh time on the LPGA Tour. Korda, the world No. 1, has to this point picked up the place she left off in 2021. She shot a 3-under 69 Saturday and performed solidly in circumstances she in comparison with the British Open.

“It was chilly, wet and received just a little windy, so in all I am very proud of 3 beneath,” Korda mentioned. “I imply, there (are) nonetheless 18 extra holes left. You do not know what the circumstances are going to be like. The leaderboard is stacked, and the ladies are taking part in effectively. No matter occurs, occurs tomorrow.”

Gaby Lopez, who gained this occasion in 2020, and Danielle Kang, ranked tenth on the earth, are tied for second at 12 beneath.

Henderson is alone in fourth at 11 beneath and will likely be paired with reigning U.S. Ladies’s Open winner Yuka Saso for Sunday’s remaining spherical.

“With a strong spherical tomorrow, I can actually make a cost, which is a good feeling,” Henderson mentioned. “I am simply actually excited concerning the alternative to be taking part in effectively on the weekend. First three days have gone rather well, so hopefully I simply make numerous birdies tomorrow and make numerous putts.”