Brooke Henderson withdraws from U.S. Women's Open

Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson has withdrawn from the LPGA Tour's U.S. Women's Open for personal reasons.

The LPGA tweeted Friday that the native of Smiths Falls, Ont., will be returning home to Ottawa to be with her family. The announcement was made before the second round.

Henderson later took to Twitter to say she was withdrawing for personal reasons and was en route to Ottawa. She thanked the staff of Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club — who dealt with more than four inches of rainfall early in the week — and said she is looking forward to competing again at the U.S. Women's Open in 2019 at The Country Club of Charleston.

Julia Pine, the manager of championship communications for the United States Golf Association, told The Canadian Press that Henderson advised officials at 6 a.m. on Friday that she would be withdrawing from the tournament. No more details were provided as Pine said she was asked to keep things private.

Pine said Henderson did go to the golf course early Friday to gather her things, but was en route to the airport by mid-morning.

Henderson, 20, was tied for 44th after a shooting a 1-over-par 73 in the first round on Thursday. She was six shots back of the lead.

A six-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Henderson was looking to capture her second major title this week.

Smith shoots another 67, leads at U.S. Women's Open

6 years ago

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Sarah Jane Smith shoots a 2nd straight 5-under 67, leads by 4 strokes.

Aussie Smith leads rain-delayed 2nd round

Sarah Jane Smith extended her lead after a second straight 5-under 67 Friday.

The Australian got her round in before a two-hour, 49-minute weather delay. The second round will be completed on Saturday with the low 60 scorers plus ties making the cut.

Smith opened the day in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and Korean Jeongeun Lee. She's at 10-under 134 heading into the weekend after failing to make the cut in five of her previous six U.S. Women's Open tries.

Jutanugarn had an opening birdie to move to 6 under through eight holes. Lee fell back to 2 under with a second-day 75. Korean-born Su-Hyun Oh shot 68 and is also 6 under.

Hamilton's Alena Sharp was tied for 60th at 4-over par through seven holes when play was suspended. Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l'Ile-Perrot, Que., will miss the cut after shooting an 8-over 80.

LPGA's Lincicome gets invite to PGA event

LPGA Tour player Brittany Lincicome confirmed Friday that she will accept a sponsor's exemption to play in the PGA Tour's Barbasol Championship in July.

An official announcement is expected next week, but Lincicome said she plans to play in the event while speaking to reporters after Friday's second round of the U.S. Women's Open.

"I think we'll go into it having fun and try not to put too much pressure on myself," the 32-year-old Lincicome said. "Obviously it's a whole different ball game. I'm not trying to compete with the guys or prove anything. I've always thought it would be cool to go try."

The Barbasol Championship is slated for July 19-22 in Nicholsville, Ky., outside Lexington. Lincicome is an ambassador for Pure Silk and Columbus; Ohio-based Perio, Inc., is the maker of both Barbasol and Pure Silk.

Lincicome will become the fifth female to play in a PGA Tour event. The others are Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Suzy Whaley, Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie.