In Orlando, Florida, Russell Henley found himself in situations on the course that he rarely practices, executing one shot he never anticipated and another with slim chances of success. Yet both shots unfolded nearly flawlessly during the Arnold Palmer Invitational, critical moments that Arnie himself would have admired. Henley delivered a remarkable performance on the back nine, shooting a 33 — the best among contenders — and securing a one-shot victory over Collin Morikawa with a 2-under 70 finish.
Reflecting on his win, Henley expressed his disbelief while wearing the winner’s red cardigan at Bay Hill, describing the outcome as unexpected. The tide turned dramatically as Collin Morikawa initially led the final round, extending his advantage to three shots with only five holes to go, a substantial lead on a challenging course marked by thick rough and dry greens.
However, Henley’s pivotal moments began with the par-3 14th hole, where he hit a cut 5-iron to within 10 feet, one of only two birdies recorded during the final round, while Morikawa faltered with a bogey after missing the green. Henley recounted not often practicing such cut shots, usually aiming for straight or slightly drawn shots. “When that came off and hit the green, it was a really nice feeling,” he said, narrowing the gap to a single stroke.
The decisive turning point came at the par-5 16th. After Morikawa laid up from a bunker and positioned a wedge shot 18 feet from the hole, Henley faced a daunting chip from thick rough beyond the green. His caddie, Andy Sanders, estimated the ball would roll six feet past the hole; however, Henley’s perspective differed, doubting the ball could be stopped. In an unexpected twist, the ball found the pin and dropped for an eagle, granting Henley his first lead of the day when Morikawa missed his birdie attempt.
With two pars to finish, Henley maintained his position, while Morikawa ended with a 72 and couldn’t overtake him. Henley, overwhelmed with emotion, said, “I was just so nervous. I can’t breathe right now. It’s so hard and difficult around this place.” The challenging conditions, particularly his struggles with the par 5s on the front nine, seemed to put Henley out of the running, but he found a way to persevere, making a dramatic comeback on the back nine.
Morikawa, despite his solid play throughout the day, fell short, unable to clinch the title he hasn’t won in 17 months. Henley praised Morikawa’s steadiness and acknowledged the harsh nature of golf at times. Corey Conners also made a noteworthy performance, opening with 15 straight pars and finishing just two shots behind Henley. His second-place finish earned him a coveted spot in this summer’s British Open at Royal Portrush.
Keegan Bradley nearly set a tournament record with his front-nine 29, achieving a low-round 64 and tying for fifth. Meanwhile, defending champion Scottie Scheffler ended the tournament tied for 11th, as he fell short of finding his rhythm on the greens.
Henley’s victory, his fifth on the PGA Tour, propelled him to a world ranking of No. 7. The triumph, especially against a field of this caliber, highlighted his consistent form over recent years. Henley humbly reflected on his ascent in rankings and respected the talents of his peers, still finding it challenging to perceive himself among the game’s elite. As he relishes his achievement, Henley continues to digest the magnitude of his victory while embracing the silver trophy that signifies his hard-earned success.
