Brooke Henderson climbs to 17th in women's golf rankings

Canadian teenager Brooke Henderson earned her first LPGA Tour victory on Sunday and subsequently made a 15-spot climb to 17th in the new Women's World Golf Rankings released Monday.

After winning the Portland Classic by eight strokes to become the third-youngest champion in LPGA history at 17 years, 11 months, six days, Henderson has made more than $660,000 US in 10 events this season and now ranks ahead of such luminaries as Michelle Wie, Karrie Webb and Morgan Pressel.

So much success, and yet Henderson doesn't even possess a tour card. Last year, the LPGA denied her an age petition to play in Q-school, so she has had to rely on sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifying to compete in tournaments.

But after Sunday's eight-stroke victory, the first by a Canadian on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane at the 2001 Takefuji Classic, Henderson is now assured of finishing among the top 40 in earnings, meaning she will get her card for next season, by which time she'll be 18 and eligible for one.

Henderson will play in next week's Canadian Pacific Women's Open in Vancouver.