Russell Henley Says He Believes He Can Challenge Rory McIlroy on Final Day of The Masters Saturday at The Masters delivered a dramatic display of golfing skill as players pushed for position on the leaderboard. Russell Henley, the American golfer, emerged as a standout performer with a second-round score of 66, propelling him to six-under par for the day. His round was marked by a flawless execution, featuring no bogeys and six birdies, with a particularly strong finish on his final four holes that left him in a position to make a late surge. Despite his efforts, Henley ended the day six strokes behind Rory McIlroy, who held the largest 36-hole lead in the tournament’s history. However, Henley remained optimistic, expressing his belief that if he could maintain his form, he might still have a chance to overtake McIlroy on the final day. Henley’s performance was a testament to his composure and precision under pressure. After his round, he reflected on his play, calling it his lowest score at The Masters. “The conditions were super calm, and I just felt like I hit my irons great,” he said. “I gave myself a lot of looks for birdie and had some good par saves. Yeah, extremely pleased.” His confidence was further bolstered by a standout recovery shot on the 15th hole, where he navigated a difficult situation after a double-cross off the tee. “I hit an awful double-cross on 15 off the tee, and just to get the ball back to where I had a wedge in was a really good shot,” he explained. The 15th hole became a pivotal moment in Henley’s round. His caddie, Andy, played a crucial role in shaping his approach. “I was actually about to hit a draw, a pitching wedge, on 15, and Andy said he thought I needed to cut it,” Henley recalled. “So I did, and he was right. I think if I hit a draw, it would have gone over the green.#rory_mcilroy #the_masters #russell_henley #andy #15th_hole
Bulldogs in the Masters 2026: UGA Leads All Colleges with 4 Former Players in Final Round The University of Georgia (UGA) maintained its dominance in the Masters 2026 tournament, with four former Bulldogs advancing to the final round. The four players—Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Sepp Straka—entered the last day of competition with strong positions, showcasing the depth of talent produced by the program. UGA surpassed all other collegiate programs, outpacing Oklahoma State, which had three former players remaining in the field. Texas, North Carolina, Cal, UNLV, UCLA, and Wake Forest each had two former players in the tournament. Harman, a UGA graduate, began the tournament with a challenging performance, shooting a 79 on the first day and finishing 10 over par after a bogey at the fourth hole. However, he rebounded with a personal-best 67 on Saturday, moving to 10 shots lower than his opening round. Harman, who is currently 1 over par for the tournament, expressed confidence in his ability to contend despite the odds. “I believe in myself,” he said. “I know it’s always right around the corner. It’s hard to keep telling yourself that sometimes when you haven’t seen a lot of evidence, but I’ve got 15 years to show you that right around the corner is pretty good.” Henley, the current low Bulldog, delivered a standout performance with a career-best 65 on Saturday, placing him at 6-under 210. His round included 11 of 14 fairways and only 25 putts, avoiding a three-putt for the first time this week. “Super calm conditions, and I just felt like I hit my irons great and gave myself a lot of looks for birdie and had some good par saves. Extremely pleased,” Henley said. His strong showing positioned him as a strong contender for the honor of being the lowest-scoring Bulldog.#university_of_georgia #masters_2026 #brian_harman #russell_henley #harris_english
Every Georgia Bulldog Competing in the Masters Georgia has made a historic showing at the Masters, with all six of its PGA Tour players competing in the prestigious tournament. This marks the second consecutive year the Bulldogs have claimed the title of having the most golfers from a single college program in the field, following a record-breaking 2025 season where seven Bulldogs participated. Georgia has held this distinction for eight consecutive years, solidifying its dominance in collegiate golf. The tournament, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, runs from April 9 to April 12, 2026. It is widely regarded as the pinnacle of professional golf, drawing the world’s top players to compete for the iconic green jacket. This year’s field includes six Bulldogs, a testament to the program’s sustained success and the depth of talent it produces. Among the Bulldogs in the Masters are three players ranked in the world’s top 20: Russell Henley (No. 12), Sepp Straka (No. 13), and Harris English (No. 20). Henley and Straka have both demonstrated strong form ahead of the tournament, with Straka and Henley each securing top-10 finishes in recent events. English, known for his consistency, adds another layer of competitiveness to Georgia’s contingent. The Bulldogs’ presence in the Masters is also highlighted by the inclusion of amateur golfer Mason Howell, a high school senior set to join the University of Georgia in the fall. Howell, one of six amateurs in the field, is considered a rising star in the sport. His participation underscores the program’s ability to cultivate future champions, even before they step onto campus.#university_of_georgia #augusta_national_golf_club #sepp_straka #russell_henley #harris_english
How Georgia's Six Golfers Played in Round 2 at the 2026 Masters Tournament The 90th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club resumed on Friday for Round 2, drawing attention to the performance of Georgia’s six golfers, who represented the most from any college program in the nation. The Bulldogs’ contingent included Russell Henley, Sepp Straka, Brian Harman, Harris English, former champion Bubba Watson, and U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell. With four more players than any other Southeastern Conference team, Georgia’s golfers faced the challenge of navigating the iconic course under the pressure of the Masters’ historic setting. Russell Henley, a seasoned professional, entered the weekend at even-par after a 1-under 71 in Round 2. His performance began strongly, with a 2-under 34 on the front nine, highlighted by birdies on the par-4 3rd and par-4 9th holes. However, the back nine proved more challenging, as Henley finished with a 1-over 37. His final stretch included a bogey on the 10th hole followed by a sequence of birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie-bogey-bogey on the last six holes. Despite the fluctuation, Henley’s ability to stay within the cut line positioned him as one of Georgia’s top performers. Harris English, another Bulldog, followed up his Day 1 performance with a strong Round 2, returning to even-par for the tournament. His 1-under 71 included a balanced scorecard, with a 1-under 35 on the front nine and an even-par 36 on the back. English’s birdies on the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 13th, and 17th holes showcased his composure, while bogeys on the 5th, 9th, 12th, and 18th holes tempered his progress. His consistent approach allowed him to remain in contention for the weekend. Sepp Straka, the Ryder Cup champion, safely made the cut after two rounds.#georgia_bulldogs #masters_tournament #augusta_national_golf_club #russell_henley #harris_english
