COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

October 8, 2021

Brooke Henderson

Mountain Ridge Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Brooke Henderson, another solid round on day two. Take us through today.

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, got off to a really nice start. Was feeling like it was going to be a great day coming through my 9th hole there on 18, 3-under.

Unfortunately gave a few shots back. I feel like I hit the ball really well. Few putts I would like to take back, but all in all feel like I'm hitting it really solidly.

And I'm really excited for two more rounds, and hopefully be able to climb up the leaderboard a little bit more.

Q. Obviously on that putter we heard it was blessed by Shirley Spork. It now has a name.

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yes.

Q. Did it still feel blessed out there today or was it a little more calm?

BROOKE HENDERSON: It was a little calmer today for sure, but I feel like I hit some really good putts that didn't fall on my front nine for sure. Back nine, I'm going to practice a little bit here this afternoon, try to get things worked out.

But I feel like it's still a great club in my bag. Like I said, I'm just really excited to hopefully give myself a lot of opportunities tomorrow and hopefully capitalize.

Q. What's the mindset heading into the weekend with the lead right in sight?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I'm sure Jin Young will probably go low again today. There are quite a few players teeing off just now that are same score as me yesterday, so I'm sure I'll be a few shots back by the end of the day.

To be right back in contention, top of the leaderboard is a great feeling for me; my sister, too. We just love the opportunities and the chances to be out here playing against the best in the world.

Have a chance on the weekend, so hopefully I can play well tomorrow and get in one the final groups.

Q. Couple things: In addition to the blessing, you did get a little bit of a putting lesson from Shirley yesterday. What did she have to say?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, Shirley is the best. I've always enjoyed talking with her. When I first met her I guess over five years ago now out in Phoenix, she's just a wonderful lady and has so much knowledge and wisdom about the game.

She was giving me tips right, left, and center, so hopefully I can use some of them over the next two days. It's just awesome to have a Founder of the LPGA Tour come and talk to me before my round. It's pretty special.

Q. When you look at your scoring, you play really well on the weekends. It's kind of like a freight train. Once you get rolling, you're rolling. What is about your game that peaks on Saturdays and Sundays?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Well, thank you. I like to think that I play well on the weekends. One thing is I learn the course a little bit more, become a little bit more comfortable.

Once the pressure is off of the cut and everything, my only thought is the lead and climbing up as much as I can. So I feel like maybe a little bit more determined toward the top of the leaderboard, and just trying to make as many birdies to try to make my way up there.

Q. So you think about the cut until Friday afternoon and freewheel it from there on in?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yep, unfortunately. That's how it works. (Laughter.)

Q. Unfortunately, but that aggression does benefit you.

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, yeah, the aggressiveness and once the confidence kicks in, then it's all good.

Q. Speaking of good weekends, you had one last week as well as ShopRite. What did you take away from that finish?

BROOKE HENDERSON: That was really exciting. Felt like a really long time since I was in contention, so to be right back up there, have a chance to win it all, was pretty cool.

And to play with Celine who played amazing, and was right there with her most of the day, which was awesome. Yeah, just to get the adrenaline back and have the crowd on my side, it was -- makes me smile, and I look forward to doing it again here soon.

Q. You mentioned a couple times just loving this feeling. What are you feeling internally? What's that like for you when you get into that position of being in contention?

BROOKE HENDERSON: It's just like pure joy. That's the best feeling in the world. I wish I could do it every week; unfortunately it doesn't happen.

But on those weeks that I can, I just try to enjoy it as much as possible.

Q. You got a much-needed visit home to Canada not too long ago. Now we're seeing a lot of success from you. What impact do you feel like that had on you and your game just getting to go home and reconnect with your family and your coach and your dad?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, it had been a really long time since I was able to go home or see my parents, so I think just that connection was -- well, was really needed.

And then also being able to work with my coach who is also my dad, you know, he was able to give me some confidence in some areas and fine tune a few things. As you mentioned it's really -- I've seen a big improvement these last few weeks, which is exciting.

I'm going to see him again next week, so hopefully by Tampa see me even better.

Q. When you are in contention, either really close to the cut line or close to the lead, do you find yourself watching the leaderboards out on the course?

BROOKE HENDERSON: I always leaderboard watch no matter how I'm playing. I like to know where everybody is at, kind of what to expect of myself. If people are making a lot birdies, then I know I can be pretty aggressive and try to make even more.

Or if people are just kind of even par or 1-over, then I know the course is playing a little bit tougher. So I like to keep an eye on it.