Brooke Henderson two off the lead at season-opening Tournament of Champions

Brooke Henderson’s first spherical of the 2022 LPGA Tour began regular and ended with a bang.

The native of Smiths Falls, Ont. opened the Hilton Grand Holidays Match of Champions with a 3-under 69, two photographs again of chief Gaby Lopez at Lake Nona Golf and Nation Membership close to Orlando, Fla.

Henderson began with eight straight pars earlier than making a birdie on the par-4 ninth. She had two bogeys on the again 9 however bought right into a groove with the putter and added 4 birdies, together with one from about 25 ft on her last gap of the day.

“Couple have been fairly clutch par saves, however I used to be able to make some birdies, and was ready to try this on the again 9,” the 24-year-old Henderson stated. “I really feel like this was an ideal begin … Trying ahead to the following three days.”

Henderson, who earned her means into the Match of Champions subject after profitable Hugel-Air Premia LA Open in April, has a brand new technique on the greens, leaving the flagstick within the gap when she putts.

“I like the way in which it appears to be like,” she stated. “Just a bit one thing completely different that appears to be working.”

She additionally performed with a TaylorMade TP5x ball for the primary time, switching from a Titleist ProV1, and was happy with its efficiency.

Lopez, who gained this event in 2020, admitted she had a “tough time” on the driving vary the day earlier than the event however, along with her coach’s assist, was capable of get issues proper for the primary spherical.

“Simply making an attempt to be centred and be and have a stable posture. That is what we've got been engaged on. And, truthfully, it was simply simple,” Lopez stated. “Right this moment was a fairly clear spherical. I feel we barely made any errors. My caddy and I did an ideal job with (technique), simply with the ability to assault the pins that we have been comfy with.”

Lopez, who counts Henderson as a detailed buddy, leads by one over a foursome at 4-under that features world No. 1 Nelly Korda.

Korda, who gained 4 Tour occasions final yr and captured the gold medal on the Olympics, was at 2-over by means of 4 holes, however she birdied the following three holes and added an eagle on the par-5 eleventh after stuffing her method.

Korda, whose brother Sebastian is presently competing within the Australian Open and whose sister Jessica is the defending champion this week, stated there’s a lot she will be able to enhance on for 2022.

“I imply, psychological side, I feel even the bodily side of it. Each a part of the sport can get higher all the time,” she stated. “The sport of golf is continually transferring ahead and also you form of have to maneuver with it.”

This week on the LPGA Tour is exclusive, because the professionals are grouped with celebrities from sport and display. Annika Sorenstam, an LPGA Tour legend and a member at Lake Nona, leads the movie star division by one level.