Brooke Henderson's "list of endorsements has multiplied" since the start of the '16 LPGA campaign, but her "recent results haven't been as jaw-dropping as those earlier this season," according to Rachel Brady of the GLOBE & MAIL. Henderson's "popularity is soaring," as evidenced by her signing a deal with Skechers last week. That joins other recent sponsorship deals with sports drink BioSteel and Google "to promote Android Wear smartwatches." Henderson for the season has 11 "top-10 finishes in 22 LPGA events to go with two wins," including her first major championship, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. However, she has "finished outside the Top 10" in her last five tour events, including a tie for 39th at last week's Manulife LPGA Classic in Ontario (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/3). TSN.ca's Bob Weeks noted Henderson is "arguably the No. 1 female athlete" in Canada, and it "shows in the crowds and the rabid following she’s developed." The LPGA sees a "generous spike in hits to its web site when the Canadian is near the lead and sponsors have beaten a path to her door." However, with all the attention "comes responsibilities off the course, especially when she’s playing on home soil." Henderson prior to the start of last week's tournament "zipped in to Toronto to take part in an outing for RBC and then later headed to a photo shoot for BioSteel." Both companies are "backing the teenager and, not surprisingly, want to utilize and leverage her for that." However, during the "home stretch of a long and what has to be a somewhat exhausting season, Henderson has shown signs of frustration on the course." She has played "more tournaments and more rounds of golf than any other player on the LPGA Tour." Weeks: "Add to that the off-course obligations and is it really any wonder that she’s been grumpy at times?" (TSN.ca, 9/3).
POPULARITY CONTEST: The CP's John Chidley-Hill wrote it was "easy to find" Henderson at last week's tournament, as one simply has to "follow the crowds that trail the 18-year-old phenom from hole to hole." Despite not being the top player in the field, Henderson was "by far the most popular, with hundreds of fans following her" (CP, 9/3).
