‘To finally break through again is just so exciting’ — Brooke Henderson’s four words after ending the longest drought of her career
Brooke Henderson stood on the 18th green at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, the roar of a home crowd washing over her, as she tapped in for par to secure a one-stroke victory at the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open. It was her 14th LPGA Tour title and her second win at Canada’s national championship. But more than that, it marked the end of the longest victory drought of her professional life — two years and seven months without a win.
In the emotional aftermath, Henderson captured the moment in four simple, heartfelt words that said everything: **“To finally break through again is just so exciting.”**
The Canadian star had not lifted an LPGA trophy since January 2023 at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. In the time since, she had come close on several occasions, posted numerous top-10 finishes, and continued to represent her country with pride in the Solheim Cup. Yet the wins refused to come. There were weeks of self-doubt, stretches where she told herself “it’s close” while privately wondering when — or if — the breakthrough would arrive.
Henderson has always been refreshingly honest about the grind. She admitted that while she tried to stay positive publicly, the prolonged winless run tested her in ways few outsiders could see. The pressure of being Canada’s most successful golfer, the weight of expectations on home soil, and the day-to-day battle to maintain belief when results didn’t match her effort all took their toll.
That is what made the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open victory so cathartic. Henderson fired rounds of 71-66-65-67 to finish at 15-under par, holding off a charging Minjee Lee by a single shot. She birdied key holes when it mattered, showed remarkable composure under pressure, and delivered a dramatic lag putt on the 72nd hole that all but sealed the deal. When the final putt dropped, the emotions spilled over — for her, for her family and friends in the gallery, and for an entire nation that had been waiting alongside her.
“This one I think might be the longest in between victories, so for that reason it makes it super special,” she said. Winning on home soil, in front of the people who have supported her since she was a junior golfer in Smiths Falls, Ontario, elevated the moment from mere relief to something truly unforgettable.
The victory also reaffirmed Henderson’s place among the LPGA’s elite. At 27 (turning 28 later in 2025), she remains one of the most consistent ball-strikers on tour, with a powerful, reliable game that has produced two major titles and now 14 overall wins — the most by any Canadian golfer.
For Henderson, the breakthrough was more than just another trophy. It was validation after months of grinding, proof that her patience and resilience had paid off. It was also a reminder to herself — and to every athlete facing a similar dry spell — that breakthroughs do come, often when you least expect them and usually when you need them most.
As she celebrated with the Canadian flag draped over her shoulders and the national open trophy in her hands, Henderson’s four-word summary lingered as the perfect encapsulation of the day: pure, unfiltered excitement.
The win has already injected fresh momentum into her 2026 season. With renewed confidence, she has committed to the groundbreaking WTGL indoor league alongside stars like Jeeno Thitikul, Lydia Ko, Charley Hull, and Lexi Thompson, showing she is eager to embrace new challenges while continuing to chase more victories on the LPGA Tour.
For Brooke Henderson, the longest drought is now behind her. What lies ahead is the exciting part — more opportunities to break through, more moments to inspire a nation, and more chances to remind the world why she has been one of women’s golf’s most enduring and beloved competitors. And after waiting this long for No. 14, she — and her fans — are savouring every bit of the breakthrough.
