Brooke Henderson a favourite to reach Olympic golf podium

Brooke Henderson tees off on the fourth hole in the final round at the Women's PGA Championship golf tournament at Sahalee Country Club on Sunday, June 12, 2016, in Sammamish, Wash. (AP /Elaine Thompson)

Brooke Henderson was only 15 when she closed out a strong week at the 2013 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic with a 67.

Her 10-under-par 274 total on the Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ont., offered a sample of what she could do against elite professionals.

"If she's what we have at 15, our country and women's golf is going to be very healthy," longtime Canadian pro Lorie Kane said after playing with Henderson that Sunday.

Fast-forward three years and the star prospect from Smiths Falls, Ont., has emerged as one of the top women's golfers in the world. Henderson is also one of Canada's best bets for a podium appearance at the Rio Olympics.

She was given LPGA Tour membership last summer after crushing the field by eight shots to win the Cambia Portland Classic. It was the first LPGA Tour victory by a Canadian since Kane won the Takefuji Classic in 2001.

Henderson's first victory this season came at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. It was the first major title for a Canadian woman since Sandra Post won the LPGA Championship in 1968.

Henderson will lead the four-athlete Canadian golf team as the sport returns to the Olympic program for the first time since 1904. She'll be joined on the women's side by Alena Sharp of Hamilton. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., and David Hearn of Brampton, Ont., make up the men's team.

Now 18, Henderson has been on a steady rise up the world rankings. She has leapfrogged Tour stars like Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson and Inbee Park to settle in at No. 2 behind Lydia Ko.

Henderson has done it with length, solid approach shots and by taking advantage of opportunities. She's averaging over 265 yards per drive this season and leads the Tour in birdies.

"I think she's fiercely competitive," said Canadian women's team coach Tristan Mullally. "I think you see the smiles, you see this young girl who's out there and really having fun. But she's always been competitive."

Henderson often had to play qualification rounds or rely on sponsor exemptions last season. She could set her schedule well ahead of time this year and was able to concentrate on her game instead of making last-minute travel arrangements.

"It's a huge relief," Henderson said in a recent interview. "It's much more relaxing this year, being able to schedule flights and accommodations and everything well in advance. It's a stress reliever. It's good mentally to be able to prepare for certain golf courses or certain tournaments months in advance and get that ready."

She earned top-10 finishes at eight of her first nine events this season. Her peers on Tour have noticed that consistency.

"She's been putting herself in great positions week in and week out," said Ko. "She's a very impressive player who hits the ball a long way, but also very consistent and one of the best putters out there.

"A player like Brooke is going to grow golf in Canada like Lorie (Kane) did."

The Olympic Golf Course was built at Reserva de Marapendi in Rio's Barra da Tijuca district. The fairways are wide but high winds could be a factor and there are plenty of hazards, shrubs and bunkers.

The par-71 course will play at 7,133 yards for the Aug. 11-14 men's tournament. The overall distance will be trimmed to 6,500 yards for the Aug. 17-20 women's event.

Henderson can handle the intensity of performing at the highest level. She showed that by calmly sticking her approach shot three feet from the pin and hitting the birdie putt on the playoff hole for her first major title.

The Olympic pressure will be no different. A glance down at her spikes -- with an "I (heart) Golf" message on the side of her shoe -- helps keep things in perspective.

"It definitely helps me," she said. "It's just that little reminder when I see it that I do love this game and I play it for a reason."