Canadian Brooke Henderson has a lot to catch up on on the LPGA Tour Championship

NAPLES, Florida Brooke Henderson had a front row seat for one of the day’s rounds at the LPGA Tour Championship on Thursday. It just wasn’t hers.

Smiths Falls, Ontario native. shot a 1-under 71 in the first round of the season finale, seven shots behind leader Jeongeun Lee6.

Henderson was grouped with Minjee Lee, who shot 6-under-66, including six birdies on a seven-hole stretch in the first nine.

“When you play with someone like that and when you are playing well, it’s great because you feed yourself and you continue like this. But when you don’t like those putts and you see other people doing it, it’s a little more frustrating, ”Henderson, 10th in the world, told the Star.

In fact, the first day at Tiburon Golf Club was a microcosm of Henderson’s season. She hit 13 of 14 fairways and missed just two greens, but needed 33 putts.

“It’s a bit annoying,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like I hit him very well and I got very good, and other times not so well. It was a real mix. “

Henderson made back-to-back birdies after the turn. But at par 5 of 17, after a bogey at 16, Henderson decided to go for it with a metal fairway. The shot landed in a bunker off the green. Three putts later marked another late bogey.

Jennifer Kupcho, Celine Boutier, Mina Harigae and Sei Young Kim, who won the 2019 Tour Championship, were tied at 7 under par in the tournament where the golfer of the year will also be decided.

Nelly Korda and defending champion Jin Young Ko have four titles each in 2021 and are side by side in the race for points. Korda had the lead on Thursday at 66 under par, after winning the Pelican Women’s Championship last week. Ko shot 2 under 70.

“I had just been zoned,” said Korda, who was also an Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo. “I think I hit it really good. I gave myself a good look probably within 10 feet. Two oopsies with two three putts, but I think I hit most of the greens and looked pretty good myself. “

Henderson said most golfers took better advantage of the course setup than she did, which means she will likely make changes to her game plan on Friday.

“It could be a bit more aggressive,” he said, “since I’m way behind and there’s nothing to lose.”

Henderson will be paired with Danielle Kang in the second round.