It’s moving day at East Lake Golf Club, and Russell Henley finds himself T1 with Tommy Fleetwood to start the round. After a bogey-free Friday, the U.S. Ryder Cup qualifier is looking to take home his second win of the 2025 season. Here’s 5 fast facts you need to know about Russell Henley as he fights for first at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
1.Henley is a Fred Haskins Award Winner
Although he tends to fly under the radar, Russell Henley is an accomplished and talented golfer, and has been for a long time. The 36-year-old was the 2010 recipient of the Fred Haskins Award. This award honors the nation’s most outstanding collegiate golfer, and in 2010 Henley accomplished big things while he attended the University of Georgia. He was the first Georgia recipient of this honor, and finds himself among the likes of Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Justin Thomas.
2.Russell Henley Thrived at the University of Georgia
Born and raised in Macon, Georgia, Henley went on to attend the University of Georgia. While studying Consumer Economics in Athens, Henley helped the Georgia Bulldogs win the SEC title as a junior and a senior, claiming medalist honors. He was named the student-athlete of the year thanks to his his hard work and dedication. He went on to win the Fred Haskins award, and graduated in 2011.
3.Henley Plays the Guitar
In the past, Henley has been spotted on stage rocking out alongside O.A.R., Darius Rucker and the alternative rock band, Keith Urban, and more. It started with a game against Rucker at the pro-am of the 2014 RSM Classic. After winning, Henley asked Darius Rucker if he could join him onstage. After that, Henley rocked three songs with O.A.R. at The 2015 Genesis Invitational.
He taught himself to play the guitar when he was 8, and uses it as an outlet from stress. The American golfer even has a picture of him rocking out on stage as his profile picture on X.
4.Russell Henley Worked With Phil Kenyon
Henley reached out to putting coach Phil Kenyon back in 2023, and the two began working together. Kenyon spoke highly of Henley, and talked about a putter switch to improve his game. Henley made the switch to a Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 and Kenyon believes that helped the golfer achieve more face control. The putter change, alongside some small adjustments, helped Henley focus on his start line and with some tips on reading greens, the golfer greatly improved. At the 2nd round of the Tour Championship, he made more the 200 feet of putts.
5.The Henley Family
Russell Henley is married to Teil Duncan, together the couple have three children. A son named Robert and two daughters, Ruth and Jane. His wife is an accomplished painter and impressively has more instagram followers than the golfer. The pair met at a wedding, when Duncan’s sister married one of Henley’s closest friends. He proposed a short 10 months later. When Golfweek asked about his wife at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Henley said “She puts steel in my spine.”
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