Brooke Henderson's newborn niece inspires opening-round performance at KPMG Women's PGA Championship

Brooke Henderson went to sleep last night with her ringer on. Not a typical move to assure a good night's rest before a major, like the KPMG Women's PGA Championship this week. But Henderson had good reason for wanting to be awakened and updated by her former caddie, no matter the hour.

"Ten minutes before I woke up, I got the message," Henderson told Golf Channel's Amy Rogers after her first round. "My niece was born and I'm just so happy and so excited.

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Not a bad wake-up call. The life-changing update from her sister and former caddie, Brittany Henderson, was certainly worth sacrificing a "do not disturb" slumber. And whether awaiting the news affected her sleep, Henderson sure didn't show it during her 3-under 69 opening round at Hazeltine National Golf Club. She said she did her best to ride the good vibes throughout the day and into the third major championship of the season.

"A couple of times I was in some tough spots, but I was like, it's okay, I have a niece waiting for me when I get home," Henderson told Rogers after her single-bogey round.

Just wait, the positive energy from the new family addition goes even deeper. "Her name is Sahalee, which really means a lot to our whole family, and the meaning high heavenly grounds also has a very special connection...Also the success both my sister and I had there," Henderson explained.

Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washington is where Brooke won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the first major championship of her career, complete with Brittany on the bag, ten years ago. She recalled the playoff win at Sahalee as a "dream week" and remembered the course as simply majestic and peaceful. Now, she may have the opportunity to create another magical moment in an already memorable week.

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"Honestly what a way to start the week. Perfect start to get under par, hear my niece was born and doing very well, ten-year anniversary of when I won at Sahalee in 2016. Great day overall, and hopefully carry that through the rest of the weekend," Henderson said.

So far, so good. The two-time major winner birdied four of the last 12 holes and shot a 33 on the back nine. Henderson currently sits in the clubhouse at T-6 and said her energy levels were, unsurprisingly, really great during the early round. "I was able to make a lot of putts, and I feel like I'm in a good spot. I feel better than I have in a while, and excited for what the rest this week and the rest of the season holds," she explained.

Henderson has only one top-ten finish this season and that was back at the end of January at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, but Thursday looked like she could be returning to form and admitted she was happy with her round.

"Felt like my ball striking was in a really good spot today so hit a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of good birdie looks, which is always really fun, especially at major championship and on a tough golf course," she said.

And Henderson said she's planning to meet the newest member of the family next week. "It's such an exciting, wonderful time. I can't wait to meet her."