Rookie Henley hits the big time
Rookie opens PGA Tour career with win and gets spot at Masters
HONOLULU: US PGA Tour rookie Russell Henley birdied his last five holes en route to a sevenunder 63 on Sunday and a three-shot victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Henley, making his first start as a member of the PGA Tour, showed the nerve of a veteran as he shattered the tournament scoring record with his total of 24-under 256.
After setting both the 36 and 54-hole scoring marks here – the first full-field tournament of the 2013 season – Henley broke the 72-hole record by four strokes at Waialae Country Club.
Henley, 23, also set a record for the lowest 72hole total by a rookie in PGA Tour history in a win that earned him an invitation to the Masters, the first Major of the year scheduled for Apr 11-14 at Augusta National.
He became the first rookie to win his first start as a tour member since Garrett Willis in 2001.
South Africa’s Tim Clark birdied the final four holes, and seven of the last 11 overall, to match Henley’s 63. That left him in sole possession of second place on 21-under 259.
Scott Langley, a fellow rookie who shared the overnight lead with Henley, carded an even 70 and finished tied for third on 17-under 263 with Charles Howell, who posted a 66.
Henley, however, was at his element. When he rolled in an eight-footer to birdie the par-five last, one of several stunning clutch putts he made on the day, he gave a roundhouse sweep with his right arm in celebration.
“I don’t really even know what just happened,” a smiling Henley told Golf Channel after becoming the event’s youngest winner, eclipsing compatriot Ben Crenshaw who was aged 24 when he triumphed in 1996.
“This is the most nervous I have ever been and that’s the hardest thing I have ever done. I was just trying to stick to my routine and stay committed and stay in the present.”
With his spectacular triumph, Henley earned an invitation to the Masters and became the first rookie to win on his debut as a PGA Tour member since compatriot Garrett Willis at the 2001 Tucson Open.
“It’s been my goal to make it to the Masters my whole life,” said Henley, who won twice last year on the PGA Tour’s feeder Web.com circuit and shared low amateur honours with Langley when they tied for 16th at the 2010 US Open.
Henley began another warm day of light breezes and tied at the top with playing partner Langley and he benefited from a two-shot swing at the par-four first to move two strokes clear.
While Henley birdied the hole after hitting a superb approach to within three feet, left-hander Langley wound up with a bogey after finding the right rough off the tee.
Langley missed birdie putts from inside six feet at the second and sixth before duffing a chip from greenside rough to bogey the par-three seventh and slip three strokes off the pace.
Henley dropped his first shot in 51 holes at the par-four eighth.
However, he immediately recovered with a two-putt birdie at the par-five ninth to reach the turn two strokes in front of the chasing pack.
Henley rolled in a nine-foot birdie putt at the 10th to maintain his cushion and did well to save par from a similar distance at the par-four 11th after pulling his tee shot on to a cart path.
He delivered a dagger blow by draining a 45footer to birdie the 14th and stretch his lead to three strokes, then sank 12-footers at the 15th and 16th to keep the charging Clark at bay.
Remarkably Henley birdied the last two holes for good measure to complete a commanding debut win and earn a three-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Asked how he had gained the self-belief to secure victory so early on in his PGA Tour career, Henley replied: “I think last year on the Web. Com Tour.
“I was in this situation a lot in the last five or six tournaments, actually the last 10. I had a good time then and that prepared me.”