ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Brooke Henderson enjoyed the opening day of a fresh LPGA season a whole lot more than the tough, waning days of last season.
Her balky back feeling stronger and swinging a club more freely than she’d been able to since October, Henderson attacked Lake Nona on Thursday with six birdies for a 5-under 67 to take a one-shot lead at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Henderson, who finished third in the Race to the CME Globe last year, started fast with birdies on three of her first eight holes. She added three more against one bogey on her inward nine to take a one-shot lead over Nelly Korda, who at No. 2 is the highest-ranked player in this week’s winners-only field.
“It does feel really good, to get off to a hot start, that’s always a great feeling,” said Henderson, who won twice last season — including her second career major, at the Evian Championship. “Hopefully I can continue it the next three days, a lot of momentum, and lots of birdies. You really need to go low here if the conditions are going to stay as nice as they are.”
A year ago, players were in wool caps and layers in unseasonably cool Florida weather. Thursday was kinder, a sunny day with temperatures climbing into the 80s.
Despite most players coming out of a brief offseason, few exhibited rust. Seventeen players broke par from the 29-player field of LPGA winners in 2021 and 2022.
Korda, who won the Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona in early 2021, nearly matched Henderson, making five birdies against a lone bogey in an opening 68.
She played alongside former MLB pitcher Derek Lowe, the defending champion from the celebrity-athlete division in the mixed field. There is a division for LPGA pros and one for the celebrities, each with its own prize fund. She and Lowe, paired…