Russell Henley wins Sony Open in Hawaii

2013 PGA Tour rookie Russell Henley set a tournament scoring record in the process of winning the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club by three shots from Tim Clark of South Africa.

Russell Henley wins Sony Open in Hawaii (Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
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2013 PGA Tour rookie Russell Henley set a tournament scoring record in the process of winning the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club by three shots from Tim Clark of South Africa.

Tied for the lead with fellow rookie Scott Langley at the beginning of round four, Henley stamped his authority with a birdie on the opening hole. He didn't let up and cruised round in a superb 63 to keep the field at bay.

He's the first man to win on his debut as a PGA Tour member since Garrett Willis in Tuscon 12 years ago, and he's earned a start at this year's US Masters.

"I don't really know what happened, honestly," said the 23-year-old. "This is the most nervous I've ever been. That's the hardest thing I've ever done. It's been my goal to make it to the Masters my whole life. I'm kind of speechless right now."

Scott Langley faded a little on Sunday, closing with a level par 70. In the end it was South Africa's Tim Clark who emerged as Henley's nearest challenger.

Clark birdied seven of his last 11 holes but was still only able to make up one shot on the American. Henley just kept rolling the putts home.

"When you get up and close to see how a guy plays.... Well if he putts like that all the time, whew! It's all over," Clark said.

Finishing on a four-round total of 24-under-par, Henley broke the tournament scoring record by four shots. It was also the third lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history.

Sony Open in Hawaii Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii Jan 10-13, purse $5,600,000 par 70

1   Russell Henley (USA)   63   63   67   63   256   $990,000 2   Tim Clark (RSA)      64   66   66   63   259   $594,000 T3   Charles Howell III (USA) 66   64   67   66   263   $319,000 T3   Scott Langley (USA)   62   66   65   70   263   $319,000 T5   Matt Kuchar (USA)   66   63   70   65   264   $200,750 T5   Brian Stuard (USA)   66   68   65   65   264   $200,750 T5   Chris Kirk (USA)      68   62   68   66   264   $200,750 8   Jeff Overton (USA)   65   68   67   65   265   $170,500 T9   Harris English (USA)   69   69   62   66   266   $143,000 T9   Marc Leishman (Aus)   67   68   64   67   266   $143,000 T9   Dicky Pride (USA)      68   67   64   67   266   $143,000 T9   Pat Perez (USA)      68   63   67   68   266   $143,000

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage Where next? European Tour - Louis Oosthuizen wins Volvo Golf Champions

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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