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
Zach Johnson Aims to Make History at The Masters Zach Johnson, a Cedar Rapids native and PGA Champions Tour player, is approaching his 50th birthday but remains determined to perform well at The Masters this week. Despite his age, the golfer is still viewed as a contender, though his odds of winning are long at +55,000. Johnson’s journey to the tournament is marked by both triumph and challenges, making his participation at Augusta National a compelling story. Johnson’s most notable achievement came in 2007 when he won The Masters, an unexpected victory that stunned the golf world. The Des Moines Register reported that he finished with a total score of 289, which is 1 over par. This score is tied for the highest winning total in the tournament’s history, a fact that underscores the unpredictability of the event. His win was celebrated with a memorable moment as he received his green jacket from the previous year’s champion, Phil Mickelson. However, Johnson’s recent years at The Masters have not been as successful. The Register noted that he missed the cut in 2021, 2022, and 2024, with a tied 34th place in 2023. Despite these setbacks, Johnson showed signs of resurgence in 2025 when he finished the tournament at 5 under par, securing a tied-eighth place. This performance marked his best finish at The Masters since 2015, highlighting his resilience and ability to compete at the highest level. The 2026 Masters has generated significant interest, with several players emerging as favorites. According to The Register, the top contenders include Scottie Scheffler at +490, Bryson DeChambeau at +1075, and Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, at +1175. While McIlroy is the most recent winner, the odds suggest that the competition is wide open.#augusta_national #phil_mickelson #zach_johnson #the_masters #the_des_moines_register
