Dein erstes Forum » shes considered the future of the sport in Canada

LONDON, Ont. -- At the age of 16, Brooke Henderson gets it. The amateur from Smiths Falls, Ont., is well aware of the high expectations that come from finishing in the top 10 at a major tournament and emerging as the best young Canadian womens golfer. "I see the pressure and I hear it," Henderson said. "I hear that Im the face of Canadian golf, but Im just trying to improve and trying to get better." Henderson doesnt seem to be buying into the hype that she has created for herself. With Lorie Kane about to turn 50, shes considered the future of the sport in Canada, even with Alena Sharp, Sue Kim, Jennifer Kirby and Rebecca Lee-Bentham already established on the LPGA Tour. She goes into this weeks Canadian Pacific Womens Open at London Hunt and Country Club with all that perspective to go with her experience. Henderson missed the cut the past two years in Edmonton and Vancouver and understands what its all about this time, playing about a seven-hour drive from where she grew up. "Definitely there is pressure," Henderson said. "But Im excited to be able to play for my family and friends and show them what I can do. Theyre out there cheering for me, and I know every shot theyre going to be happy either way." Henderson set her expectation at making the cut and then "hopefully climb up the leader board a little bit." Thats a realistic goal two weeks after she finished second to Kristen Gillman at the U.S. Womens Amateur. But this is a different animal for Henderson as the home-country girl whos blossoming into a star. On her way from the putting green to the driving range on Wednesday, several fans stopped her for autographs, photos and or just to chat. When she tees off just before 8:30 a.m. for Thursdays first round, Henderson will get to focus in on just golf. Her caddy, longtime family friend Bunk Lee, will do his part to keep Henderson focused. "I think Brooke is very good at relaxing herself," Lee said. "Shes been exposed to this enough, and she takes care of most of it. Im just there for reassurance and making sure Im doing my job as the caddy and trying to provide the best environment for her to perform in and it all takes care of itself." Kane recalled being overwhelmed at times during her first appearances at the Canadian Womens Open -- then called the du Maurier Classic -- worried that she couldnt live up to external expectations. The four-time champion on the LPGA Tour said she has no doubt Henderson is prepared for the atmosphere shes about to face and the future shes embarking on. "Brooke, shes hard-working, very dedicated to what she does," Kane said in a phone interview last week. "Brookes career can be what Brooke wants it to be. The skys the limit. Shes got a great head on her shoulders, shes a very level-headed kid." That came across Wednesday in her pre-tournament news conference during which she fielded a handful of questions about her place in history and the hefty weight on her young shoulders. In the short-term -- the next few days -- Henderson expects to feel more comfortable now that she has gotten to know more professional colleagues and what to expect. In the long term, Henderson doesnt consider herself standing alone as Canadas only hope in womens golf. "Definitely I think the game in Canada is growing, and there are some young pros coming up like Sue Kim, and Jennifer Kirby and Rebecca Lee-Bentham that are great players and have full status on the tour this year," she said. "Maybe they havent played as well as they would have liked, but I think the future is bright for them." It could be even brighter for Henderson if she continues down her developmental path. Golf Canadas Brent McLaughlin said just like with mens golfer Mike Weir, Canadian fans "need to rally around heroes" and considers Henderson one of those. "Were so proud of Brooke. ... Any time you see young talents just excel, youre proud of them," McLaughlin said on a conference call last week. "(Fans) need to have a reason to watch. ... It makes kids want to be like them. We need that in our sport. Weve very fortunate, very lucky and very proud." Henderson is one of 15 Canadians in the field this week, along with pros Kane, Sharp, Lee-Bentham, Kirby, Kim, Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, Sara-Maude Juneau, Samantha Richdale, Nicole Vandermade, Natalie Gleadall, Erica Rivard, Jessica Wallace and fellow amateurs Jennifer Ha and Elizabeth Tong. No Canadian woman has won this tournament since Jocelyne Bourassa captured the title at the inaugural edition in 1973. For 22 years from 1979 through 2000 it was a major, and it still carries that importance to Henderson. "It used to be a major back in the day, and to me it still is one," she said. "Its very close to home. Its our national championship." New Zealands Lydia Ko, at 17 a two-time defending champion at Canadas national championship, knows from experience that Henderson has had to repeatedly answer the question about when shes turning pro. Henderson said Wednesday its still her plan to attend the University of Florida with the hope of having an LPGA Tour career in the future. That means for now Henderson is one of the faces of amateur womens golf, something she has accepted. "Of course there is a little bit of pressure, but I enjoy it," Henderson said. "I love a challenge." Green Bay Packers Jerseys . The seventh-ranked Berdych wants to focus on the ATP Tour after helping the Czechs beat the Netherlands in the first round. Seeking their third straight Davis Cup title, the Czechs will rely again on veteran Radek Stepanek. Tramon Williams Jersey . 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