Henley returns to Augusta after Houston win

Russell Henley looked out onto the course and fondly remembered days spent at Augusta National Golf Club as a young patron.

The Macon, Ga., native would ride with a family friend in his Volvo, pick up Krispy Kreme doughnuts and find the same church parking lot each time. Then, there was the course itself.

“I remember going over to No. 2 green and feeling the grass,” Henley said. “I was overwhelmed by all the color. You don’t see anywhere this green. It’s very special. I try to enjoy every step, because it flies by.”

Henley’s past week has also flown by. The University of Georgia alum won last week’s Houston Open to earn a Masters Tournament invite. His plans suddenly shifted from resting with family in Charleston to finding a house in Augusta and preparing for his fourth Masters.

“It’s just kind of a lot of stuff going on, but I’m just happy to play well and win again,” he said. “That’s the most important thing for me. I think my game has been really good and I finally put it together. I’m just excited to be here again. This is surreal.”

It means perhaps a little more for Henley this time. After making the cut in the 2014 and 2015 Masters, including a career-best finish of 21st in 2015 that included a 4-under-par first round, Henley failed to qualify last year.

He said his struggles last year helped him learn more about his game and himself, and it seems to have him back on track. He has three top-10 finishes and seven within the top 25 in 11 events this year. Four rounds in the 60s at Houston last week were the culmination of a hard road back.

Now, Henley is going through the process of seeing friends and family in Augusta. It’s a tiring combination of entertaining guests and preparing for the Masters, but it’s something he accepts with enthusiasm.

“Being this is my fourth time and not my first time, I kind of know a little of what to expect with practice rounds and how it all works,” he said. “It takes a lot out of you, especially with me seeing a lot of people I know. It’s just an aspect not only with golf but like a big celebration or get-together.”

Reach David Lee at (706) 823-3216 or david.lee@augustachronicle.com.