By: Global Golf Post

Winning the Shell Houston Open on Sunday prompted a pleasant change of plans this week for Russell Henley, earning him a last-minute spot in The Masters. Henley has been a quietly steady player for several years and he produced the kind of Sunday finish that players dream about.

It may have started Saturday afternoon when Henley made two late birdies and, thanks to Rickie Fowler’s poor third-round finish, wound up in the final pairing with Kang on Sunday. Henley birdied five of his first eight holes Sunday to force the issue with Sung Kang. A double bogey at the par-3 ninth hole could have derailed Henley’s charge but didn’t. Instead, Henley tacked on five more birdies on the back nine, pulling away from the field near the end.

Kang was trying to lock down his first PGA Tour victory but struggled on Sunday. He did not make a birdie on the back nine but managed to finish solo second, his best career finish.

While many stars missed the cut at Houston – Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott and Patrick Reed were all gone after the second round – a couple of high-profile players posted good finishes before departing for Augusta.

Fowler finished T3, though his four-putt double bogey on the 18th hole Saturday put a blemish on his weekend. Still, Fowler goes to the Masters having finished T4, 1, T16, 12 and T3 in his past five starts.

Rookie Jon Rahm (T10) is on a similar hot streak, having finished outside the top 10 just once in his past six starts, which include a win, a second-place and a third-place finish.

Driver: Titleist 917D2 (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana D+ 80TX

3 Wood: Titleist 917F2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana D+ 80TX

Irons: Titleist 716 T-MB (3 iron), Titleist 716 AP2 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage S Tini 100TX (3 iron), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM6 (46-08 F Grind, 50-08 F, 54-10 S Grind, 58-08 M Grind)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (46, 50), S400 (54, 58)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat Concept 2 Prototype

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Republished with permission by Global Golf Post.