Russell Henley Cruises To Mayakoba Title

The American never looked in danger over the final round of the World Wide Technology Championship, as he claimed a first PGA Tour title in five and a half years

Henley waves to the crowd
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Beginning the final day, you could have been forgiven for thinking that the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba title was going to fall into the lap of Russell Henley, especially given that he started six shots clear of the chasing pack.

However, the American was without a victory since April 2017 and had many close calls over that five and a half year period. On the final round though, Henley was unstoppable, with even a poor start not affecting him, as he strolled to a four shot win.

Earlier on in the day, it was former World No.1, Scottie Scheffler, who decimated the El Camaleon course, as a final round 62 saw him vault up the leaderboard. Having lost the World No.1 spot to Rory McIlroy a few weeks ago, Scheffler needed a solo second finish, or better, to overtake the four-time Major winner. However, the American finished just outside the runner-up spot!

That target of 18-under was realistically never going to trouble leader Henley, even when an early bogey on the fifth cut the lead to three. His response was perfect though, as three birdies in a row on the sixth, seventh and eighth doubled his lead to six.

Despite being in the clubhouse for a significant amount of time, Scheffler was soon overtaken by fellow countryman, Brian Harman, whose five-under-par round put him to 19-under for the tournament.

Henley holes a putt

Henley secured his fourth PGA Tour title and his first since April 2017

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With Harman finished for the day, it left Henley to see out the tournament and, despite a bogey at the 16th, he still held a comfortable four shot cushion with two holes remaining.

Comfortably parring the penultimate hole, Henley's dominance continued, as an up-and-down at the 72nd gave him a 23-under-par tournament total, which matches the tournament record.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x