Golf: Teen Brooke Henderson retains Portland Classic crown

Brooke Henderson hits her tee shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the Meijer LPGA Classic on June 16 at the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan. PHOTO: AFP

PORTLAND (REUTERS) - Canadian Brooke Henderson went wire-to-wire to successfully defend her title at the Portland Classic on Sunday.

Henderson, who claimed her first golf Major at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship east of Seattle last month, carded a final round of 71 for a 14-under 274 total and a four-shot victory over Stacy Lewis (69) at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

Norway's Suzann Pettersen (72) finished third at nine under.

World No. 2 Henderson began the final round with a two-shot lead over Mariajo Uribe, who pulled even with a birdie at the 11th.

However, the Colombian faded badly in her final seven holes with two bogeys and back-to-back double bogeys on the 17th and 18th.

Henderson, who had three birdies and two bogeys, said it had been a strange round.

"It was kind of a weird day of golf," the 18-year-old told Golf Channel. "I made a couple of putts down the stretch when I needed to.

"To be a repeat champion is very cool."

Henderson's third career LPGA win puts her in the right frame of mind heading into the Women's US Open at CordeValle near San Jose, California this week.

"Three wins on the LPGA Tour against the best players in the world and being able to compete on the highest stages is amazing," Henderson said. "I look forward to next week."

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