The CPKC Women’s Open at Edmonton’s Royal Mayfair Golf Club is a chance to watch the world’s best female golfers compete up close.

The LPGA tour event is drawing golf fans of all ages and Brooke Henderson is a big reason for it.

Since 2017, the Brooke’s Brigade initiative has brought together junior golfers across the country who share a passion for the sport and Canada’s winningest golfer.

On Friday, several young fans filled the stands in the Brooke’s Brigade viewing zone, offering a front-row view of the action at the private Edmonton course where the tournament is taking place.

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The defending champion from Smiths Falls, Ont., seeking a third career win in Canada’s LPGA tournament, shot a second-round 68 on Friday to sit 5-under par.

With two rounds to play, Henderson was four strokes back of clubhouse leader Soo Bin Joo of South Korea at 9 under at the Royal Mayfair.

Henderson was 7 under before a pair of back-nine bogeys. Her second-last tee shot drifted left and struck a spectator. Henderson apologized to the woman and gave her a golf ball.

Calgary’s Aphrodite Deng, who was the tournament’s low amateur last year in Mississauga, Ont., capped her round with back-to-back birdies for a 67 to get to 3 under.

The top 65 players and ties make the cut at the US$2.75-million event.

Canadian teenagers Anna Huang of Vancouver and Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont., who started the day three shots off the lead at 5 under, had afternoon tee times.

Nicole Stillger has more in the video above on how the sport is growing among even the youngest fans.

— With files from Karen Bartko and Nicole Stillger, Global News