Canadian star Brooke Henderson wins at home in CPKC Women’s Open

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MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (AP) — Canadian star Brooke Henderson won her second CPKC Women’s Open title Sunday, beating playing partner Minjee Lee by a stroke for her first victory in more than 2 1/2 years.

Henderson closed with a 4-under 68 at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club to finish at 15-under 269. Lee, the Australian player ranked fourth in the world, had a 68.

“This week was beyond special,” Henderson said. “To be able to finish it off and hoist the trophy again is extremely cool."

She later added: "Honestly, I’m surprised I’m not crying right now because it just means so much.”

Henderson broke a tie for the lead with a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-3 14th on the tree-lined layout. On the short par-4 17th, she followed Lee's 13-foot birdie putt with a 12-footer of her own to keep the lead.

“I love traditional golf courses,” Henderson said. “I love tree-lined courses. Being pretty close to home it was very similar to a lot of courses I grew up playing on, so just very comfortable that way.”

Also the 2018 champion at Wascana in Saskatchewan, the 27-year-old Henderson won her 14th LPGA Tour title and first since January 2023. She's from Smith Falls, Ontario.

“This year has not gone very well up to this point, and it just feels like this was meant to be,” Henderson said. “I felt like I got a lot of breaks out there today and this week, and I just felt like it was meant to be.”

Lee won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June in Texas for her third major title and 11th LPGA Tour title.

“I had a solid performance, so can’t really say anything,” Lee said. “I kind of got out played. I guess.”

Mao Saigo of Japan was third at 11 under after a 66. Fellow Japanese player Akie Iwai, the winner last week in Oregon who led after each of the first two rounds, had a 69 to finish fourth at 10 under.

Aphrodite Deng, the 15-year-old Canadian amateur who was tied for second after an opening 66, had a 73 to tie for 20th at 4 under.

“It’s really cool,” Deng said. “I’m really grateful for the experience, especially in my home country.”

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf