Why Brooke Henderson Is a Threat to Nelly Korda & Lydia Ko’s Legacy?

Add Brooke Henderson’s name to the Chevron Championship stories ahead of the final round. The Canadian scorched the Club at Carlton Woods with a fiery 8-under, and she isn’t finished yet. Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko made the biggest headlines ahead of the first major of the LPGA season. But Brooke Henderson can spoil the party for both. 

Korda stands to match Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam’s record of notching five back-to-back victories. For Ko, her third major triumph can elevate her to the same pedestal as Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb, Juli Inkster, Dinah Shore, and the like. It turns out that Brooke Henderson might still steal the limelight from them tomorrow like she did today. 

Brooke Henderson has a sudden shot at history

Brooke Henderson stands a chance to match the lowest round in any LPGA major. The Canadian was on a roll on Saturday, nailing seven birdies and an eagle. After starting at 2-under on Saturday, Henderson cupped her first birdie on the par 5, 4th. She finished the front nine with a birdie-eagle-birdie stretch. 

Extending that on the back nine, she converted two birdies on the first two par fours on the back, 10th and 11th. All she needs is a birdie on the final hole to tie for the lowest round in any LPGA major. Interestingly, the record is currently held by Lydia Ko alone. The Kiwi shot 10-under 62 three years ago. 

Oddly enough, Ko’s record too came at the same event, then known as ANA Inspiration, and played at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course in the Mission Hills Country Club. She couldn’t sniff victory but moved up to the second spot after the final round, stopping within two shots of the lead. 

Notably, the lowest round at any LPGA Tour event belongs to Annika Sorenstam. The ten-time Major winner scored 13-under-59 at the 2001 Standard Register Ping Tournament. If Henderson can make an eagle on the par-5, 18th, she will fancy having the solo lead. That is, unless Nelly Korda, or the current leader Atthaya Thitikul catches up with her. 

Who has a better chance to match history?

Nelly Korda has yet to card a bogey in the last 22 holes. Her last over-par hole came in the second round at the par 3, 7th. So far, World No. 1 has made only one bogey and two double bogeys. Korda is at 10-under, tied with Henderson, with six holes to play. In her previous two rounds, the 25-year-old has made at least two birdies in the final five holes. She would definitely hope to continue that streak when she returns to the green on Sunday. 

On the other hand, Ko is six shots off the lead with four holes to play. She might need to resurrect her 2021 ANA Inspiration self to position herself tightly in contention. The two-time major champion needs only one victory to enter the hallowed LPGA Hall of Fame. Brooke Henderson, on the other hand, has made a bogey and birdie on the 18th in her last two rounds. The par-5, 498-yard 18th has a sharp dogleg, which might be a tough task to avoid for the 13-time LPGA Tour winner.