HONDA LPGA THAILAND

March 9, 2022

Brooke Henderson

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome back to Thailand. Brooke Henderson, who finished the pro-am this morning, out before the worst of the heat. How are you feeling now and how does the golf course look?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, was definitely grateful for a morning pro-am time this morning to get in and done before the heat really kicked in. But it's hot out there even now. I love it here in Thailand. I really missed not being here the last two years, so Brit and are really excited to be back.

I feel like my game is in a pretty good spot, which is exciting. The course is always in great shape. I feel like the greens are maybe a little bit slower than in years past, but still in great shape all around and excited to tee it up tomorrow.

Q. You say you love it here in Thailand. What makes this a fun place to come back to? Why do you like this one so much?

BROOKE HENDERSON: The people are so nice, just very welcoming, which I think is great. I just, I don't know, it's such a great feel and the hotel, amazing view of the water and you just feel very relaxed, which is a really cool way to be.

Having friends out on tour that are from Thailand, it's cool to see the country that they grew up in and have more experiences traveling around the world.

Q. So I know you weren't here last year and didn't play in 2020. In 2019 you finished sixth; 2018 tied for seventh, so you've had success here. What is it about this course that seems to suit your game, or certainly did in recent years?

BROOKE HENDERSON: I think on some of the par-5s and certain holes, if you have a certain carry you can carry a lot of bunkers, which I think is really beneficial and an advantage if you can carry it like around 240.

In years past I've been able to do that, and it looks like I'll be able to do that this year, too. So that's really exciting.

Just makes it a little bit easier to hit greens in two and also just makes the hole a little bit wider and shorter practice. So definitely there, and I think by the winners here, Amy, she's won a bunch here and Jess and May last year, they're all long hitters, so I definitely think it's a bit of an advantage here.

Q. Coming here off a tie for sixth last week in Singapore, so a strong showing last week. How are you feeling as you come in? Getting over the jet lag, but how is your game setting up this week?

BROOKE HENDERSON: It's been a great start to 2022. It's so much fun to be in contention and near the final groups on the weekend. I just love that so hopefully I can continue that into this week.

Yeah, I just feel like I've been hitting the ball really well. I just need a few putts to drop. I feel like I say that a lot, but hopefully here soon they will start to drop and be even closer to the top of the leaderboard.

Excited to be here in Thailand. Like you said, getting a little bit more used to the heat after last week. Just got to be careful and make sure I'm hydrating a lot and getting a lot of rest at night.

Q. When you're in a situation like this where you feel your game is pretty good, what do you work on?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, you know, wanting to keep the game consistent, so just making sure that the driver is behaving and the iron shots are consistent and accurate.

But mainly with Brit, we've been working on putting and just spending a lot of time around the greens trying to clean it up a little bit, and hopefully it'll pay off this week.

Q. Looking at stats right now. You lead the tour in strokes gained this ball striking a round, which shows that you're really good with that kind of club in your hand. Is that where you feel the most comfortable on the course?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, those shots I like a lot, so it's cool. That's a cool stat.

But, yeah, hopefully just as the season progresses keep that where it is and just improve a little bit on the short game. I feel like I'm close to getting another win and close to playing really well. It's exciting.

Q. Where would you say the women's game is right now? What's the state and the direction it's moving?

BROOKE HENDERSON: I think the women's game is in a great spot. The depth of the tour and the strength of the players coming out every year just keeps getting better.

It's exciting to be part of the LPGA Tour right now just because you feel like you're part of a movement and part of pushing it forward, which is amazing. It's nice to see some of the sponsors step up, and to get to play better golf courses at some of our major championships, it's definitely a cool time to be part of the tour, and hopefully I can keep getting better, too, and keep pushing the boundaries.

Q. Another question. She wants to know more about your relationship with your sister, Brittany as player-caddie. Brit has been on the bag forever, almost as long as I've known you. What's that relationship like and how much does she help you on and off the course?

BROOKE HENDERSON: I love having Brit on the bag. Just having somebody that knows you so well, my best friend is out there with me all the time. Just having someone you can really trust, especially coming down the stretch and you need to pull off a good shot or need to get the right number, it's nice to have somebody that you can depend on so much.

You know, traveling around the world and being here in Thailand with her, it's just such a fun experience. You know, we've had a lot of success on tour so far, and I think that's just the partnership that we have.

We really push each other and can really depend on each other when we need to.

Q. She picked up your bag pretty early in your pro career, right?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah. She caddied a few weeks in 2015 and then starting 2016 she was full time.

Q. Does she play much at all anymore?

BROOKE HENDERSON: She doesn't play at all anymore. She like occasionally will grab a club and hit some balls on the range when I'm warming up at home. No, she doesn't play anymore. She was so good that now that she didn't practice she doesn't like some of the shots she's seeing.

Q. We love having you guys out here. I know we're taking it slow this week, taking it kind of quiet. Anything you're looking forward to doing here in Thailand or just enjoying back being?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I think just enjoying being back. I said it last week, too. Just even the drive from the hotel to the course, I just really try to look around and experience everything that I'm seeing.

It's just fun. It's so different than Canada and the U.S., so I just try to look around and take it all in. Some year I would love to go to see some elephants here. It's definitely on the Bucket List. Probably not this year, but hopefully maybe next year.

Q. You talked a little bit about the course. I think you played the front nine today. Have you seen all 18 in your practice rounds? Where do you think you line up this week with the chance to take the title?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I was able to play nine holes yesterday, the back nine, and the front nine this morning in the pro-am. The course is, like I said, in great shape. It's pretty soft, so I feel like you can be very aggressive on the approach shots, which is nice.

And the greens are slightly slower than they have been in past years, so I feel like some of those downhill putts are not as treacherous as year's past, so you can maybe be a little bit more aggressive on them, too.

That definitely suits my game. I like to attack and try to take advantage of some holes. Hopefully teeing up tomorrow with May and Minjee I believe, which is an awesome group. You know, May be from Thailand and also being defending champion, it's pretty cool to get to play with her.

Q. Last question: Back in North America it's still International Women's Day. It's always International Women's Day on the LPGA Tour. Who are some women you would have looked up to on and off the course?

BROOKE HENDERSON: You know, just looking around our tour, it's pretty cool and you can really get inspiration from any one of those players out here. It's so fun to get to play against them and with them every single week.

You know, Jin Young won lost week and that's just so inspiring with her faith on and off the course, but also in her play on the course. You know, just always winning it seems like and always attacking and making putts.

Nelly, who's world No. 1 for a long time, too. Just so impressive.

I feel like off the course some role models for me are Reba McEntire. I just love her music and the way she's lived her life. I think it's pretty cool.

But it's just cool to be on the LPGA right now and see all the talent and seeing each other, pushing each other forward.