This wasn't a Sunday stroll along the river for Brooke Henderson. It was a duel. A final round that felt less like stroke play and more like match play, where every birdie and every answer from Minjee Lee hung heavy in the air. By the time Henderson rolled in her final putt and lifted the trophy, the Canadian galleries had their dream ending -- their star back on top, on home soil, for the first time in more than two years.
Henderson's closing 4-under 67 at Mississaugua pushed her to 15 under, one shot clear of Lee's 68. The win marked her second CPKC Women's Open title, her 14th career victory on the LPGA Tour, and an emphatic end to a drought that had stretched across 64 starts.
"This week was beyond special," Henderson said, standing behind the 18th green. "To be able to win my national open again, in front of these crowds… it feels surreal."
A Sunday Match Play
The day began with Henderson and Lee tied at 11 under, three clear of the field. The crowd sensed it early: this was no longer a four-day tournament but a head-to-head contest between Canada's brightest star and one of the game's most polished champions.
The momentum swung like a pendulum. At the par-5 13th, Henderson nearly eagled but settled for birdie. Lee answered, rolling in her own. On the very next hole, the pivotal par-3 14th, Henderson made a pure 6-foot birdie putt for a one-stroke lead.
Then came a behind the netter. On the 17th, with the gallery encircling the short par-4, Lee drained a 13-footer for birdie. The roar barely settled before Henderson stepped up and buried her own from 12 feet. Birdie for birdie.
Lee smiled. Henderson clenched her fist. The match ever so tilted Henderson's way. She carried that one-stroke edge to the house.
"I kind of got outplayed," Lee admitted, gracious in defeat. "I did my job. But Brooke was just a little better today."
A Career Marker
For Henderson, 27, the victory carries more weight than just number 14 on her career tally. This was her first title since the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in January 2023, and it arrived after months of doubt, struggle, and slipping down the world rankings.
She is projected to leap back into the top 30 in the Race to CME Globe, securing her spot in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. More importantly, she reminded herself -- and everyone else -- what a locked-in Brooke Henderson looks like.
When she first won this championship in 2018 at Wascana, she became the first Canadian in 45 years to lift the national title. To do it again, seven years later, in front of her home fans felt like the circle closing once more.
"I thought I might cry, honestly," Henderson said. "It's just been so long. I felt like this week was meant to be."
To our Canadian friends across the Great Lakes, to the thunderous galleries, to those filling sports bars from coast to coast, and to the entire Canadian golf community -- bravo for the way you carried Henderson. Even her peers seemed to understand the weight of the moment. She had fought through doubts and close calls, only to find her game again when the stage demanded it. And so, a Canadian classic was written.
Round 4 Competition Highlights
Henderson's birdie on 14 gave her the solo lead — and she never gave it back.
Minjee Lee holed a birdie from 13 feet only for Henderson to answer immediately with her own from 12.
The galleries around Henderson were massive, the kind of Canadian following that was Ryder Cup-sized at times.
Henderson's up-and-downs on 15 and 16 held her lead steady in the tightest stretch of the round.
Fifteen-year-old phenom Aphrodite Deng tied for 20th at 4 under, capping a remarkable week.
Mao Saigo finished third at 11 under.
Akie Iwai, who led after two rounds, settled for fourth.
Shout Out
Canada's steadfast support for its sports stars was nothing short of inspiring.
Gear Notes
Henderson sealed the win playing a TaylorMade TP5x golf ball.