"Very Proud": Brooke Henderson Shares Her Reaction to Unexpected Recognition
Jun 21, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Brooke Henderson walks from the second tee during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Jun 21, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Brooke Henderson walks from the second tee during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Brooke Henderson wasn't expecting it, and that's what made it mean more. The two-time winner of the Meijer LPGA Classic spoke on Tuesday, June 16, at her pre-tournament press conference before the 2026 Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club.
The 28-year-old golfer talked about her nomination for the 2026 Dow Impact Award and said it completely surprised her.
"It was very unexpected. I was very surprised but very proud and very honored to be a nominee for the Dow Impact Award," Henderson said.
"It's always meant a lot to me to try to help other people and give back to the communities and just try to be a positive change and be a good person."
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 05. LPGA, Golf Damen golfer Brooke Henderson plays her tee shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the Aramco Championship on April 5, 2026. At Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: APR 05 LPGA Aramco Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26040523
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 05. LPGA, Golf Damen golfer Brooke Henderson plays her tee shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the Aramco Championship on April 5, 2026. At Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: APR 05 LPGA Aramco Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26040523
The nomination shows what Henderson has done beyond just her scores. She has won 14 LPGA Tour events and two major titles. She has also played in three Olympic Games.
In 2019, her win at this event made her the most successful Canadian golfer ever. She talked about that moment on Tuesday and felt proud.
Henderson said giving back has been a consistent thread throughout. "Any way that I can try to help others, time, money, or just support, I'm trying to do that," she said.
She also talked about what the Meijer LPGA Classic means to her personally. Her 2017 win here was an important moment. The reason was that it came after a long gap between victories and gave her more confidence to win again.
Her 2019 win helped her set the Canadian record. Both wins have made this tournament very special for her.
Brooke Henderson Arrives at Blythefield Chasing a Third Title and a Major the Following Week
A third Meijer LPGA Classic title is firmly in Henderson's sights. She has won this event twice, in 2017 and 2019, and said the prospect of a third crossed her mind recently.
"I was thinking about it the other day, and there is a few tournaments I've won twice but never three times," Henderson said. "I was thinking this would be such an amazing opportunity to do it here."
The course suits her. Tree-lined fairways and similar grasses remind her of courses she grew up playing in Canada. The par-5s are reachable, which feeds her game. She acknowledged the course has changed slightly since her last win here, but said she is ready for the challenge.
"I do love this course, and I love the way it feels," Henderson said. "I definitely have a strategy that's worked well in the past, so hopefully I can carry that through this week."
A strong week here would also serve as preparation. The major championship calendar continues next week, and Henderson said playing similar course conditions this week is part of the plan heading into it.
Do you think Brooke Henderson can win the Meijer LPGA Classic for a third time and carry that momentum into next week's major?
Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Ankita Yadav