Q. Brooke Henderson is with us now at the 2026 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Brooke, 3-under today. What did you do well out there?
BROOKE HENDERSON: Felt like my ball striking was in a really good spot today so hit a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of good birdie looks, which is always really fun, especially at major championship and on a tough golf course.
So really happy with the 3-under. Ina was on fire. I have some work to do to try to catch her, but I'm really happy with my round overall.
Q. Come back to the golf. I know you had a really exciting surprise this morning. Tell us about Brit and who you welcomed today.
BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I'm so excited. My niece was born this morning before I teed off. I'm just so happy for my sister and brother-in-law and the whole family. It's such an exciting, wonderful time.
And my sister and the baby are doing really well, healthy, and really excited to see her next week.
Q. We allowed to ask about names?
BROOKE HENDERSON: Yes. So her name is Sahalee, which really means a lot to our whole family, and the meaning high heavenly grounds also has a very special connection. So, yeah, I can't wait to meet her.
Q. Great day on the golf course as well. Ten years since that win for you at Sahalee. To get off to such a good start in this championship at Hazeltine, what does it mean to have all this good news on Thursday at a major?
BROOKE HENDERSON: Honestly what a way to start the week. Perfect start to get under par, hear my niece was born and doing very well, ten-year anniversary of when I won at Sahalee in 2016. Great day overall, and hopefully carry that through the rest of the weekend.
Q. How do you build on today going forward?
BROOKE HENDERSON: You know, I feel like I did a lot of things well. Energy levels were really great thanks to the news this morning. I was able to make a lot of putts and I feel like I'm in a good spot. I feel better than I have in a while, and excited for what the rest this week and the rest of the season holds.
Q. Brooke, what do you find just most challenging specifically about this course?
BROOKE HENDERSON: I think you have to know where your misses are and you have to hit certain spots off the tee and also into the greens. If you're not doing that, then you can run into trouble pretty quick.
Yeah, making sure you're being strategic and able to execute and hit those spots.
Q. Since we are talking about Sahalee and it's the name of your niece, can you talk about some of the best memories you have of that golf course?
BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, absolutely. I feel like that week in 2016 was a dream week. Hole-in-one on Thursday, then two win in a playoff against Lydia, who is now a great friend out here and world No. 1 at the time.
And I think walking up 18 and the playoff hole, knowing I hit it to three feet and had that birdie putt to win was pretty cool.
So many amazing memories there. I love just standing there and being there. It's very majestic and peaceful there.
Q. Now Sahalee, your niece, does she bring positivity, birdies to your round?
BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I definitely think so. It's just really special to have a niece, and then to have her named Sahalee is really cool with the connection of high heavenly grounds and also the success both my sister and I had there. That was her first win on Tour as caddieing for me and it was a major championship, so definitely holds a lot of meaning.
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