Brooke Henderson sets pace at KPMG Women's PGA Championship

SAMMAMISH, Wash. — On a cold and damp morning at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Thursday, 18-year-old Brooke Henderson set off a roar that electrified the course.

Opting for a 7-iron from 152 yards on the par-3 13th hole, Henderson’s ball bounced forward off the left fringe before eventually trickling into the hole. It was the first ace of the young Canadian’s LPGA Tour career.

“I’ll donate the car to my sister,” Henderson said, referring to the 2016 Kia K900 she was awarded for the hole-in-one.

“I’m waiting until I actually have the keys,” Brittany Henderson, who’s caddying for Brooke this week, said after the round. “I told her no take backs.”

Henderson had three birdies on her final four holes to shoot four-under 67. It was her lowest score in an opening round this season.

Rain on Wednesday evening and during the day on Thursday softened the course and prevented scores from going too low. Christina Kim was among the top finishers in the morning wave with a two-under 69, while world No. 1 Lydia Ko lurks on the fringes with a 71.

“This course is exhausting,” Kim said. “The greens are perfect. The fairways are perfect, the rough is perfect and nasty. I can’t rave about this place enough.”

Lexi Thompson, ranked No. 3 in the world, struggled with a 75. The longest driver on tour said coming into the week that she would attempt to overpower the tight, tree-lined Sahalee Country Club by hitting lots of drivers, but that strategy backfired badly.

“This golf course is really demanding off the tee,” Thompson said. “It was a struggle today. I need to go the range and figure out something for tomorrow.”