Teen Henderson grabs Texas lead

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Highly rated rookie Brooke Henderson fired a six-under-par 65 on Friday to grab a one-shot lead at the LPGA North Texas Shootout.

The 17-year-old took her total to eight under par to hold a narrow advantage over world No 2 Inbee Park and 54-year-old Juli Inkster.

Henderson was bogey-free on Friday, compiling six birdies around the course, while Park closed with back-to-back birdies to stay in touch with the lead.

Canada’s Henderson is making her presence felt in a big way of late, having also held the second-round and third-round leads at last week’s Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic, before going on to lose out to World No 1 Lydia Ko in the final round.

“I learned a lot from the atmosphere last week and just watching some of the other players,” Henderson said. “I had a lot of emotions, and I really don’t know how to explain it.”

Not yet a full-time member of the LPGA, Henderson had to come through qualifying to play in the tournament. If she goes on to win, she would become the first qualifier to do so in over 15 years.

Lexi Thompson, Mi Hyang Lee, Hee Young Park and Karine Icher are tied for fourth at six-under, with America’s Cristie Kerr part of the group a further stroke back.

Ko, meanwhile, is well off the pace after rounds of 75 and 68. She was full of praise for Henderson’s effort.

“I knew Brooke was a very talented golfer,” Ko said. “I feel like she’s quite aggressive and she’s holing a lot of putts, she’s striking the ball very well.”

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