Olympic Women’s Golf Preview: Canadians Henderson and Sharp eye the podium in Paris – SCOREGolf

The Olympic golf competition continues with the women’s tournament at Le Golf National beginning Wednesday. Here is a breakdown of the course, the field and the two Canadians participating.

The Course

Le Golf National

Length: 6,374 yards

Par: 72

As with the men’s event, the tournament will be held at Le Golf National, with a few changes. The course will be shortened to just under 6,400 yards and play as a par 72, with the 18th hole playing as a par 5 this week. Last week’s event showcased the challenges of Le Golf National. Thick rough awaits the players off the fairway and there are a number of water hazards on multiple holes. The venue has hosted the Espirito Santo Trophy twice, a women’s amateur team championship.

The Field

Defending gold medallist Nelly Korda will look to claim the top spot on the podium once again. Lydia Ko (NZL) is the only player in the field who has won medals at the 2016 and 2020 games. She took home the silver in 2016 and the bronze in 2020. Other notable names competing in the event are Jin Young Ko (SOU), Rose Zhang (USA), Minjee Lee (AUS), Charley Hull (GBR) and Celine Boutier (FRA), who will look to win on home soil for the third time in her career. She won the Ladies Open de France in 2021 and the Evian Championship last year, her first major championship victory.

The Canadians

Brooke Henderson

Last five LPGA Tour results: T8, T26, T8, T22, T34

The 26-year-old will be making a third appearance at the Olympic Games, her best finish being a T7 at the 2016 Games in Rio. With the women’s competition taking place second, the female players have the advantage of being able to analyze Le Golf National in a competitive setting.

“It’s cool to see how the men played the course,” said Henderson. “I mean, there are definitely things that the women will have to play differently. Just play to our strengths a little bit more, where the men, they can probably hit it over the rough and still hit pretty great shots and hole the greens, where we have to be a little more strategic and I think fairways will probably be a little more important for us.”

The Smith Falls, Ont., product is coming off a T8 finish at the CPKC Women’s Open, her seventh top 10 of the year.

“It’s so much fun to play at home. There’s so much energy and excitement and adrenaline and we get to wear red and white,” said Henderson, reflecting on her week at Earl Grey Golf Club. “It’s just so cool to have a chance to play in front of the hometown crowd, and I feel like it was great prep coming into this week, not only with our wardrobe, the red and white, but also just with the people. Having that much support and love and knowing that they are all behind us.”

One thing that is helping Henderson is her familiarity with teammate Alena Sharp.

“Alena has always been a great mentor to me so it’s really special to compete in three Olympic Games together and represent Team Canada because we are both very proud to be from Canada,” Henderson added.

A two-time major champion, Henderson is one of the most accomplished players in the field and one of the favourites to be on the podium come Sunday. Her recent form has been solid, and she always seems to bring her best at the biggest events.

Alena Sharp

Last five LPGA Tour results: T14, T19, CUT, CUT, T80

The 43-year-old is no stranger to representing Canada and will be appearing at the Olympics for the third time. Sharp also dawned the red and white last fall at the 2023 Pan Am Games in Chile, winning the bronze medal.

“I think being in contention with nine holes to go and knowing I could finish, I could maybe get a medal and being in that pressure situation, I can still remember it because it was only in November and I feel like that’s going to help me,” said Sharp, reflecting on her successful week at Prince of Wales Country Club.” I feel like this time — like Rio I was feeling good about my game. Tokyo, not so good. This week, I feel like coming here, I could actually win now.”

Prior to arriving in Paris, the Hamilton, Ont., native posted back-to-back top-20 finishes on the LPGA Tour at the Dana Open and the CPKC Women’s Open. Adding to the good vibes will be her wife Sarah Bowman, who will serve as her caddie again this week. With Sharp struggling to get starts earlier this year, Sharp had jumped on another player’s bag.

“I feel more relaxed, “said Sharp, speaking about having Bowman inside the ropes with her. “Obviously, this is a pressure situation. This might be my last Olympics. So, I’m happy that she’s on my bag and I get to share this experience with her.”

Like Henderson, Sharp did some pre-event scouting and kept a close eye on the men’s competition last week.

“We play narrow fairways with rough and that’s kind of what we’ve got here. Very much the same,” said Sharp on Le Golf National. “You have to drive it well and take advantage when you have a wedge in your hand because definitely, it’s firming up and hard to stop on the greens.”