Teen Brooke Henderson Wins KPMG Women’s PGA Championship For First Major Title

Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson claimed her first win in a major on Sunday, defeating world number one Lydia Ko of New-Zealand in a play-off at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Sammamish, Washington.

Teen Brooke Henderson Wins KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Henderson, 18, sank two long putts in the final two holes to card a bogey-free six-under 65 to tie with the Korean-born Ko, who recorded a final-round 67.

The Canadian youngster, who is ranked No. 4 in the world, held her nerve to sink a three-foot putt at the first extra hole to win the £370,000 first prize.

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew was tied for 12th after a final round 72. Matthew, 46, had been merely three shots off the lead heading into the final round.

The 19-year-old Ko had led by one overnight at the Sahalee Country Club, where she sought to earn her third consecutive major championship. She was in front for the majority of the final round before Henderson passed her.

The Smith Falls, Ontario native said the victory felt like a dream.

“I don’t know whether I thought it would come true,” she said. “I’m just speechless. I don’t know what’s going on in my head right now.”

She also tweeted this message to her opponent following her win:

Henderson became the second-youngest winner in a major championship, and Ko the youngest last year in the Evian Championship last year. She is also the second Canadian woman to ever win a major championship, following Sandra Post‘s victory in the 1968 event, and is projected to jump from fourth to second in the world on Monday.

“To think about all of the incredible players that have come before me,” Henderson said. “I was reading some of the names on this trophy and it’s very, very cool.”

Ko said that despite the loss, she remained satisfied with her performance, and also took the time to praise Henderson.

“I’m happy with the way I played. I just got outplayed,” the New Zealander said. “For Brooke to shoot 65 on the final day at a major, at a course like this is very impressive.”

Ko was seeking to become the fifth player in tour history to win three straight majors.

PHOTO: SAMMAMISH, WA – JUNE 12: Brooke Henderson of Canada hits a tee shot on the seventh hole during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club on June 12, 2016 in Sammamish, Washington. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena