Brooke Henderson: The powerhouse of women’s professional golf

Words: Roxanne Andrews

Brooke Henderson is a wildly popular Canadian professional golfer on the LPGA Tour and Women’s Golf magazine is thrilled she found time in her busy schedule for this exclusive interview!  

Born in 1997 in Smiths Falls, Ontario, Henderson swiftly rose through the ranks of amateur golf before turning pro in 2014. She has won multiple LPGA tournaments (14 Tour wins so far in her career), including two Majors - the 2016 KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the 2022 Evian Championship. And, most recently, she won her national event, the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open!  

Brooke is celebrated for her powerful and precise swing, earning admiration (we at WG call it swing envy) from both amateur and professional players alike. Her competitive drive, combined with deep-rooted family values (her father is her coach and her sister is her caddie), has shaped her into a formidable presence on the LPGA Tour. Known for her aggressive playing style and ability to thrive under pressure, Brooke continues to cement her legacy as one of the most successful female golfers in the history of the sport. 

Q. You won your first major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, when you were 18. What was that experience like as a teenager?  
To win my first major in a playoff against the then world #1 Lydia Ko was truly a dream come true. Winning my first Major changed my life and gave me a nice confidence boost moving forward.  

Q. This issue features an interview with Michelle Penney, Principal Engineer of Product Development at TaylorMade. How much input do you have into your equipment and/or golf ball selection, and do you ever spend time at TaylorMade HQ in Carlsbad, California?  
One of the great things about partnering with TaylorMade is their expertise when it comes to new product innovation. The facilities and team in Carlsbad, California are impressive, and I am so appreciative of how collaborative and hard the team works together. It is great to have the opportunities to find the best fit for my game with equipment and golf ball selection. I particularly love using “My Symbol” golf balls. Very fun and unique.  

Q. Nelly Korda and Charley Hull are your teammates at TaylorMade. Do you guys play socially together, or only in competitive game-on mode? 
We play together quite a bit out on Tour and are often together at Taylormade events. I have fun with Nelly and Charley at Taylormade shoots - we get a chance to relax, talk through equipment and enjoy our time together.   

Q. Do you have any core mindset strategies that assist your focus and performance on the course?  
For me, professional golf is a journey, so I like to focus on the present and process as much as I possibly can. I find that when I set out a good game plan and trust in that process, success tends to follow and take care of itself.  

Q. What’s your typical warm-up routine?  
Typically, I plan out my schedule the day before a competitive round to incorporate pre-warm up (meals, rest, etc.) and then allow adequate time for range, chipping, and putting. For the range, I like to work up through the bag, incorporating stretching along the way. For my short game, I vary distance and shot type before working on my distance control for putting. 

Focusing on routine and rest leading up to and during tournament week allows me to have both the mental and physical energy needed to compete at my best level.

Q. You recently partnered with the Cabot Collection, an elite operator of world-class golf destinations. What should readers of our magazine know about their golfing experiences and which Cabot course is at the top of your must-visit list?  
It has been amazing to partner with a great Canadian company in Cabot. I have had the opportunity to attend the opening at Cabot Citrus Farms and play at Cabot Cape Breton for a few days. They are such remarkable properties and the experiences there are world-class. It’s hard to pick just one! There are certainly a few more Cabot courses that I hope to get to soon!  

Q. How do you maintain your stamina when you’re playing a tournament?  
Focusing on routine and rest leading up to and during tournament week allows me to have both the mental and physical energy needed to compete at my best level. Majors and events on the LPGA Tour against the top players in the world require you to have both physical and mental strength at peak performance to contend on the weekend. 

Q. Your sister, Brittany, is your caddie. Is your relationship on the golf course strictly professional, or do you share a playful sibling connection?  
Brittany and I know each other so well on and off the golf course. I trust her completely and the insights she provides on the course are invaluable. We decided a long time ago that ultimately, I make the final decisions on the course as the one who is swinging the club, but I would not be where I am today without her by my side. 

Q. And your dad is your coach. What’s the best thing about working closely with family?  
I love spending time with my family. I grew up playing golf with both Brittany and my dad after school and traveling to tournaments. Those are some great memories, and we have been fortunate to continue that close relationship into professional golf.  

Q. Name a few professional athletes (from any sport) that you admire?  
I am fortunate now to cross paths with a few legendary hockey players and athletes whom I watched growing up. Seeing hockey greats like Bobby Orr (now on the golf course) or some of the athletes that play in the celebrity side of the Tournament of Champions is really cool. I always loved the Ottawa Senators growing up and to now partner with them is a great way to stay close to hockey and take a few key learnings from how they are staying at the top of their respective sport. 

Q. If you weren’t a professional golfer, what career path would you have taken? 
Both of my parents were teachers. If professional golf didn’t work out, I always liked the idea of following in their footsteps to teaching. 

Q. What are the pros of playing sports in Canada? 
One of the great things about growing up in Canada is the opportunity to play so many different sports throughout the year. I focused on hockey and golf but took advantage of playing all kinds of sports when I was young. Looking back on it, I was fortunate to play other sports and I still draw on those early years with athleticism and mindset. 

Q. Please tell us your favourite public course and private course in your hometown (Smith Falls, Ontario).  
I have been fortunate to play a lot of great golf courses around the world over the years, but there is always something special about coming home. One of my favourite courses at home that I really enjoy playing is the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club; it has hosted a few CPKC Women’s Canadian Opens and as a member, I enjoy stopping in anytime I am home. 

Q. Do you have any advice for girls/young women getting into golf?  
It is easier said than done, but sometimes my advice is to just have fun. Golf teaches you so many life skills and is such a great way to get outside with friends and family. When in doubt, tee it high and let it fly! 

One of my favourite courses at home that I really enjoy playing is the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.  

Q. What aspect of your game do you want to improve?  
While I work to sharpen up specific aspects of my game in the off-season and throughout the year, I really want to improve everything in some small way. The margins are so thin on the LPGA Tour and the players are so talented that every little advantage is critical.  

Finish this sentence. The future of women’s golf is… 
Bright. We have great opportunities right in front of us. Women’s golf has come a long way and will continue to do so as the global game and the Tour grow with better venues, purses, coverage, and players.