GAINBRIDGE LPGA AT BOCA RIO

January 29, 2022

Brooke Henderson

Boca Rio Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. We're joined by Brooke Henderson after a 2-over 74 on day three of the 2022 LPGA Gainbridge. Brooke, four birdies, including two to close things out, kind of salvage the round. How tough was it out there today?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I made it look really tough out there, but it was really difficult to judge the conditions. It was very cold this morning. Started to warm up a little bit, but it was extremely windy all day, especially the gusts, and you kind of had to time your shots right.

Overall I feel like Brit and I did a solid job. Just made a couple mistakes but hopefully we can fix those tomorrow.

Q. You've really improved, kind of putting an emphasis on improving your putting, which you've done to start the season. How much did the wind affect kind of that routine that you have now developed?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, it made it a lot trickier. You know, the wind is kind of blowing you over. You're losing your balance a little bit. It makes you not trust your line quite as much.

So hopefully hit a few putts here this afternoon so I don't have the same problem tomorrow. But I made two nice putts to finish on 17 and 18. Makes the round feel a lot better.

Q. Do you maybe recall some times in Smith Falls, some blustery days along the lake for today?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, definitely felt like we were back home today. Like any time in the spring, even sometimes early summer and fall it's pretty much like it was today, so kind of tried to lean back on growing up in those types of conditions.

Q. I was going to say, you're from Canada, you played hockey, but was this a blustery day for you or did you think it was a cold day?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Growing up would've been sort of the normal for spring and fall. Now that I live in Florida it's a little bit unknown to me most of the time. I feel like we battled pretty hard, and like I said, really happy to get the two birdies to finish.

Makes the round feel a little bit better.

Q. And the challenge in club selection?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. You know, it's just tricky on everything. I mentioned I'm putting, the wind kind of moves you around a little bit and your pants are blowing, so you feel the sense that you're off balance, which makes every shot a little bit harder.

And then downwind you're taking a lot of yardage off and sometimes it's even knocking it down, so it was definitely a battle out there. Tomorrow I don't think it's as windy, so hopefully just judge the cold temperatures.

Q. If it were sunny and conditions were really good it might be a really good golf course to chase on. With conditions like this, how difficult is it to try and catch couple of these...

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I was kind of excited to come in and be aggressive and try to chase down Danielle and Lydia. With the way the conditions are, you really got to play smart. When the opportunity is there, then I think you can be aggressive.

But for the most part, I think hitting greens tomorrow will be the most important thing.

Q. Two weeks in what are your thoughts on your play? Seems like you have been pretty steady out there.

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, thanks. I'm really excited with how I finished last week. That was really good week for me. Nice momentum to start the season. A lot of confidence, too.

And this week I've played generally pretty well; today is a little bit of a letdown, but I think just finish it off strong tomorrow.

Q. Do you use hand warmers?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Hand warmers? Yeah, I have one in my left pocket.

Q. So you used them today?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah.

Q. I'm sure 2-over might sound disappointing, but when you look at the leaderboard and you're T11, you're only six shots back of second place, how much does that rejuvenate you looking ahead to tomorrow?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I mean, if we could have shot even par today we would have been sitting really pretty. So the 2-over, normally I would be very disappointed; right now I'm just a little bit disappointed.

Hopefully make two quick birdies tomorrow morning and see if I can climb up the leaderboard.

Q. We saw Lydia shoot a 63 on Thursday, without the wind. How possible is a number like that, even on a challenging course like this?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I feel like the conditions are not too difficult, and you really get a handle on it early you can definitely go out and shoot a lot of low scores on this course if you get that momentum.

There is definitely a lot of birdie opportunities. At the same time, if you get in tricky spots you can make a big number pretty fast, which you saw in my group a couple times.

Just kind of have to pay attention and judge when you can be aggressive and other times just play smart.