Canadian golf superstar Brooke Henderson delivered a performance for the ages, capturing her 14th LPGA Tour title and her second CPKC Women’s Open championship at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. The victory, her first in over two and a half years, ended a 64-start winless streak and marked a historic moment as Henderson became the first Canadian since 1914 to win the national open twice, thrilling a passionate home crowd.

The 27-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ontario, finished at 15-under-par 269, carding a final-round 4-under 67 to edge out Australia’s Minjee Lee by a single stroke. Henderson’s triumph was a testament to her resilience, as she overcame a challenging period that saw her drop to 58th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and 53rd on the LPGA’s Race to CME Globe points list.

“Waiting for that 14th win feels like forever,” Henderson said on the 18th green, her voice thick with emotion. “To win it here makes it so special. I had family and friends here, and I just thank God for allowing me to be back in this position.”

The final round was a tense battle, with Henderson and Lee, a three-time major champion, tied at 11-under entering Sunday. Henderson, with her sister Brittany caddying and father Dave coaching, leaned on her short game and a recent putter change to hold off a charging Lee, who fired a 3-under 68 with three birdies in her final six holes. A pivotal moment came on the par-3 14th, where Henderson sank a 6-foot birdie putt to break a tie for the lead. On the par-4 17th, she answered Lee’s 13-foot birdie with a 12-footer of her own, maintaining her one-shot advantage. Henderson sealed the victory with a 54-foot lag putt on the 18th, leaving a tap-in par to spark wild celebrations from the home crowd and her fanbase, known as Brooke’s Brigade.

“This week was beyond special,” Henderson said. “This year has not gone very well up to this point, and it just feels like this was meant to be.”

The victory, her first since the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in January 2023, propelled her to a projected 26th on the LPGA Tour’s points list, securing spots in the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

The leaderboard featured stiff competition, with Japan’s Mao Saigo finishing third at 11-under after a 66, and Akie Iwai, last week’s Portland Classic winner, taking fourth at 10-under. Three-time CPKC Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko tied for fifth, while 15-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng, fresh off a U.S. Girls’ Junior title, tied for 20th at 4-under as the tournament’s low amateur, adding to the event’s Canadian flair.

Henderson’s win was steeped in historical significance. Her 2018 CP Women’s Open victory at Wascana Country Club in Regina made her the first Canadian to win the event in 45 years, since Jocelyne Bourassa in 1973. Now, with her second national open title, she joins an elite group of Canadian golfers, including Charles and Albert Murray and Karl Keffer, who won the men’s Canadian Open twice before 1914.

“I feel like Canada needed a win this year, so I’m really happy to bring them one,” Henderson said, her words resonating with fans who showered her with champagne and cheers.

Lorie Kane, a Canadian Golf Hall of Famer with four LPGA wins, praised Henderson’s achievement.

“This is now 14 wins. The first 13, we haven’t given this kid enough credit for,” Kane said greenside. “I hope this keeps people talking about how good she is.”

Henderson’s victory, worth $412,500, capped a week of emotional highs and lows. She admitted to “dark times” during her drought, but her family’s support and a belief that her game was “close” kept her pushing forward. A new putter and three fortunate bounces in the final round, as she noted, helped make the difference.

Henderson’s triumph not only bolstered her legacy as Canada’s winningest professional golfer but also reignited her momentum for the season ahead. As she walked off the 18th, trophy in hand, Henderson’s smile said it all: the drought was over, and Canada’s brightest golf star was shining again.