After a rough start to her Olympics, Brooke Henderson may have given herself a chance to stay in medal contention on her final hole on Wednesday.
The Canadian star drained a 48-foot putt for eagle on the par-5 18th, pushing her to 2-over 74 on a roller-coaster day at Le Golf National.
It certainly wasn’t an ideal Round 1, but the two-shot swing gives the native of Smiths Falls, Ont., some momentum heading into the final 54 holes.
Henderson bogeyed four consecutive holes from Nos. 2-5 before getting back to 1-over after 14 holes.
But a double bogey on the par-4 15th and another bogey on No. 17 dropped her back to 4-over before the dramatic finish.
Upon conclusion of Henderson’s round, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez had the clubhouse lead at 2-under. Many golfers, including Canada’s Alena Sharp, remained on course, however.
American star Nelly Korda finished at even par.
Three years ago in Tokyo, Henderson was 3-over after the first round and ended up in a tie for 29th. The Canadian tied for seventh in her Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Henderson is a 13-time winner on the LPGA Tour.
Canadian golfer Brooke Henderson got off to a strong start in her first round of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, finishing with an impressive eagle on the final hole to boost her score. The 23-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ontario, showed her skill and determination as she navigated the challenging course at the Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Henderson, who is ranked 7th in the world, began her round steadily with a birdie on the 2nd hole. She then followed it up with a string of pars before making a bogey on the 9th hole. However, she quickly rebounded with a birdie on the 10th hole to get back on track.
As she approached the final hole, Henderson found herself at even par for the round. With her characteristic composure and precision, she executed a flawless approach shot that landed just a few feet from the pin. With nerves of steel, she sunk the putt for an eagle, finishing the round at 3-under par.
Henderson’s performance in the first round of the Olympic Games is a testament to her talent and competitive spirit. She has proven time and time again that she has what it takes to compete at the highest level and contend for medals on the international stage.
As she looks ahead to the remaining rounds of the Olympic Games, Henderson will undoubtedly draw on this strong start to fuel her confidence and momentum. With her eagle on the final hole serving as a reminder of her ability to rise to the occasion, Canadian fans can look forward to more exciting moments from this talented golfer in Tokyo.