Maybe this was just a sizzling four days for him. Or maybe we got a close look at a golf superstar in the making.
Russell Henley’s unreal, record-breaking 24-under-par win at the Sony Open in Hawaii — in his debut as a PGA Tour member, no less — could signal either. But I’m betting we hear a lot more from Henley, and soon.
It’s clear there was something in the water in 1989 and 1990. Henley, 23, made a compelling opening statement here to join the more well-known Rory McIlroy, 23, and Rickie Fowler, 24, as young stars who could be among the very best in this sport for a long time.
And don’t count out Scott Langley, Henley’s friend of the same age who entered Sunday’s final round tied with him for the lead at 17 under, also in his debut as a PGA Tour pro.
There’s plenty of reason to believe Henley’s blistering, unprecedented performance at Waialae is no fluke and he can continue on to have a great rookie season.
He didn’t really come out of nowhere. He won twice on the Web.com Tour last fall (sort of what Triple-A is in baseball) both in playoffs. Henley also tied for 16th overall and for low amateur with Langley at the 2010 U.S. Open.
He isn’t the most famous Henley yet, but a few more eagles and he’ll catch the Eagle.
His putting was surreal. Seven one-putts on the back nine, which he negotiated in 29 strokes.
"If he putts like that all the time, it’s over," said Tim Clark — who did everything in his power to try to catch Henley, including breaking the tournament record himself, but finished three shots back.
Clark could just shake his head and laugh when he putted for birdie on 17 and Henley matched him … again. Clark birdied the final four holes. Problem for him was Henley did the same on the last five.
Yes, this course was defenseless. But there were 143 other players out there, most of them with much more experience.
Henley is now a millionaire. But he seems more excited about playing more golf, especially the exemption for his first trip to the Masters. You might be, too, if you were from Macon, Ga.
"I grew up with these two twins, Matthews and Madison Barnett, and their dad would always take us to the Masters every year," he said. "I remember we would walk up to the ropes and we’d touch the grass with our hands and I remember seeing the guys hit the shots and just being amazed at the whole experience, the smell, the environment of it, and being so close to home, it was just the biggest deal for me just to get to go."
He said the idea of getting to play in the Masters was the distraction he most had to block out of his mind while destroying the back nine on wobbly legs. And it seemed noisier Sunday than usual — cars, motorcycles, helicopters, sirens, yapping dogs. None of it fazed Henley, at least on the surface. He said teeing off on 16 was the most nervous he’s ever been.
In addition to their obvious talent, Henley and Langley ooze charisma; both are personable and polite as well as insightful.
"They should maybe make these (young) guys play somewhere else for a little bit more," Clark said, playfully. "It’s great for the tour, and the fact that they’re such nice guys. … You can only be happy for the guy in getting his first win."
What little adversity Henley suffered on the course Sunday didn’t last long. After a bogey on No. 8 he came right back with a birdie on the next hole. Of all the great putts he made, the key one was for par on No. 12. He missed the fairway, missed the green. But it didn’t matter, as he chipped back to 10 feet and banged the putt home, like he did all week.
"I just stick to what I know how to do," he said. "I stick to the same putting routine that I’ve always had. I just try to do what I do. What I do best is not put myself in any situation where I have to do something funky."
We’ll learn more about Russell Henley after he has a bad day on the tour. The question is … when will that be?
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.
