Columnist image

TSN Senior Reporter

| Archive

I have a plea for the LPGA Tour. The USGA as well, and any other assorted governing bodies that host women’s tournaments. It’s really more of a pet peeve of mine. Ready? Here it is, and please note I’m asking politely.

Can we get rid of the M?

You know the M I’m talking about? It’s the one that appears between Brooke and Henderson on leaderboards all over the world.

Brooke M. Henderson.

The M stands for Mackenzie. There’s really no need for it, and it just bugs me although I’m not sure why. I get asked about it on many occasions and I’ve asked Brooke about it.

The M has a long history, it seems. At least, long for an 18-year old. Many years ago, it was needed. That was when Brooke entered tournaments alongside her sister, Brittany. The entry sheet showed two B. Hendersons.

It was a way to avoid confusion. That confusion, by the way, once led to Brooke not being able to play an amateur tournament. She showed up and organizers thought there’d been a double entry, that someone had entered B. Henderson twice. Sorry, only one can play.

So that’s when Brooke started putting the M down to distinguish herself from her sister.  But we no longer need that as the two have their own identities. There wouldn’t be any confusion. Of course Brittany, who is a pretty good golfer in her own right, has opted to become a fulltime caddie this year and tote her sister’s golf bag.

There are no other players on the LPGA Tour who have a single letter in their names like Brooke M. Henderson, unless you count Q Baek. But Q is apparently her first name, which means she saves a lot of time signing autographs.

We don’t see Paula Creamer’s name as Paula C. Creamer (Caroline) or Lorie J. Kane (Judith).

Brooke is playing well enough these days that she can go without the middle initial. I think all Canadian golf fans, and those elsewhere in the world, know who she is. After all, she’s ranked seventh in the Rolex Rankings, where she’s also listed as Brooke M. Henderson.

So please, those of you with the ability to change things, let’s get rid of the M.

Thank you.