Brooke Henderson withdraws from US Women's Open

US Women's Open leaderboard http://www.lpga.com/tournaments/uswomensopenconductedbytheusga/leaderboard

Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson has withdrawn from the LPGA Tour’s U.S. Women’s Open for personal reasons.

The LPGA tweeted Friday that the native of Smiths Falls, Ont., will be returning home to Ottawa to be with her family. The announcement was made before the second round.

Henderson later took to Twitter to say she was withdrawing for personal reasons and was en route to Ottawa. She thanked the staff of Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club who dealt with more than four inches of rainfall early in the week and said she is looking forward to competing again at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2019 at The Country Club of Charleston

Julia Pine, the manager of championship communications for the United States Golf Association, told The Canadian Press that Henderson advised officials at 6 a.m. on Friday that she would be withdrawing from the tournament. No more details were provided as Pine said she was asked to keep things private.

Pine said Henderson did go to the golf course early Friday to gather her things, but was en route to the airport by mid-morning. Henderson, 20, was tied for 44th after a shooting a 1-over-par 73 in the first round on Thursday. She was six shots back of the lead.

It has been a hot, wet, muggy week at Shoal Creek in Alabama as the fallout from tropical storm Alberto affects much of NE North America. Practice was cancelled on Tuesday with all the rainfall, the course was re opened on Wednesday and play is now underway in round two, with Aussie Sarah Jane Smith leading at -10. Overnight leader Ariya Jutanugarn at -5 is in today's late wave.

Players have been amazed at how well the greens have drained, but the course is soft, for example Smith is -5 through 9 holes so far today, so expect low scoring.

With Henderson's withdrawal, Alena Sharp is at T69 +3 75, and amateur Celeste Dao will miss the cut after an opening +11 83.

Bryan Angus
(statement re Henderson's withdrawal from golf Canada)