Russell Henley Claims Colonial Championship, Leaving Cole's Victory Quest Unfulfilled

Russell Henley triumphed at the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday, capturing the title at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, after a dramatic finish that dashed Eric Cole's hopes for his first PGA Tour win. Henley secured his victory by sinking birdies on the final three holes of regulation and continued his remarkable streak with another birdie on the first playoff hole.

During the playoff, both Henley and Cole found the fairway on the par-4 18th hole. Cole managed to wedge his ball to 13 feet, while Henley positioned himself closer at 5 feet. Cole's miss on his birdie attempt opened the door for Henley, who confidently rolled his putt into the hole for his fourth consecutive birdie. “I just kept telling myself, I want to win,” Henley shared with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis. “This is why I practice hard, and then to come back to the playoff and do that, I’m still just kind of shaking.”

This victory marks Henley’s first of the season and the sixth overall in his career, solidifying his position as the 12th-ranked golfer in the world. Conversely, it was another near-miss for Cole, who had led the tournament after 54 holes and was seeking to end a drought that extended over 119 PGA Tour events.

Cole started strong, reaching 12 under par and maintaining a two-shot lead until a double bogey on the ninth hole derailed his momentum. “Double bogeys aren’t good,” Cole reflected. “I just told myself after that... to try and capitalize on being in that position.” Meanwhile, Henley had a turbulent round, experiencing both highs and lows before finding his rhythm late to finish with a 67.

Despite the disappointment, Cole's journey to the PGA Tour has been noteworthy; he was awarded the Tour’s 2022-23 Rookie of the Year title at 35, making him the second-oldest to achieve the honor. Although his recent performances have not matched his rookie success, he has shown promise with several top finishes leading up to this event. “I was proud of the way I played, and it’s disappointing, but I still feel good and happy with the way I played,” Cole stated.