Brooke Henderson Credits Eye Condition for Sluggish Start to 2025 Season
Brooke Henderson Credits Eye Condition for Sluggish Start to 2025 Seaso
Canadian golf star Brooke Henderson has opened up about a personal health issue that has impacted her game more than fans may have realized. After a challenging start to the 2025 LPGA season, Henderson recently revealed that an eye condition—commonly known as “surfer’s eye”—was partly to blame for her recent struggles on the course.
The condition, officially called pterygium, caused a noticeable growth on her right eye, making it difficult for her to wear contact lenses. As a result, Henderson was forced to wear glasses during tournaments throughout most of the 2024 season and into early 2025.
“It was really annoying,” Henderson admitted during a press conference. “Especially when it was rainy or windy, glasses just got in the way. It might have even changed my swing a little bit.”
Determined to get back to peak form, she underwent eye surgery in late 2024 to remove the growth. After a two-month recovery, Henderson returned to the LPGA Tour and, for the first time in two seasons, was finally able to play wearing contact lenses instead of glasses. The difference was immediate.
“It’s been a big adjustment, but a good one,” she said. “I feel a lot more comfortable now.”
Since the procedure, her game has shown signs of improvement. At the 2025 Meijer LPGA Classic, she finished in a tie for 14th place—an encouraging result compared to her tie for 34th the year before.
Off the course, Henderson has also found inspiration in her partnership with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, helping boost her motivation and mental focus. That renewed energy comes at a critical time, as she prepares for the upcoming KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a major she previously won in 2016.
Despite a rocky start to the year and a missed cut at the U.S. Women’s Open, Henderson believes she’s heading in the right direction.
“I’m excited about where my game is going,” she said. “With better vision and more confidence, I’m ready to compete at the highest level again.”
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