Russell Henley shares how Presidents Cup teammates Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele helped him win the Arnold Palmer Invitational

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Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Russell Henley mentioned both Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in his victory speech.

Henley lifted the trophy after an impressive two-under-par final round saw him overtake 54-hole leader Collin Morikawa.

The American didn’t need to dominate Bay Hill like Keegan Bradley (-8) on Sunday, instead playing sensible golf to cruise over the finish line.

Henley then applauded Presidents Cup teammates Scheffler and Schauffele in his post-round press conference for their role in his victory.

• READ MORE: Michael Kim makes world ranking comment about Jon Rahm after finishing fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele helped Russell Henley win Arnold Palmer Invitational

Players usually show gratitude towards their caddie, coaches, friends and family after winning tournaments, but not so often towards their competition.

Well, that’s exactly what Henley did to his fellow 2024 Presidents Cup winners, including Scheffler and Schauffele, after his Arnold Palmer Invitational victory.

“It helped mean a lot. I mean, just, you know, being on the team with these guys, Collin, Scottie, Xander, Patrick [Cantlay], who I’ve just literally watched YouTube videos of different parts of their game and watch ’em practice and try to get better and learn from what they’re doing, how they’re handling themselves, because they’re beating me.

“To be on their team and for them to feel like… I really felt like they wanted me to be on the team. It gave me confidence in my game and just to keep doing what I was doing.

“I’ve asked some of those guys for advice since then, and they have been really kind to give it to me. Just kind of a cool little family to be a part of.”

Whatever lessons Henley learned from the likes of Scheffler and Schauffele have clearly helped because he was unflappable en route to his latest success.

Russell Henley enters Official World Golf Ranking top 10

Henley ended 2024 in 17th place in the Official World Gold Ranking and he had already climbed up to 14th before the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

It was hardly an aberration that he won at Bay Hill, but it has probably catapulted him into a different tier than he was in previously.

Seventh in the world rankings, ahead of Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas, Henley has to be considered one of the best players in the world.

He may never be a fan favourite on the PGA Tour due to his laid-back personality, but he should now come up in conversations such as Ryder Cup locks and major contenders without hesitation.