Russell Henley’s performance will have a significant impact on the United States’ chances at the Ryder Cup this week.
Everyone expects the top two American players, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau, to lead by example at Bethpage Black.
Keegan Bradley will also need some others to step up if they want to beat the European team, and Henley could be the man.
The world number three has enjoyed an excellent 2025 season on the PGA Tour and is expected to play alongside Scheffler.
The only concern for Henley is whether the pressure of partnering the best golfer in the world is too much to handle.
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Russell Henley on the pressure of playing with Scottie Scheffler at the Ryder Cup
Henley is good friends with Scheffler, and they have played together in multiple practice sessions before the Ryder Cup.
This suggests that Bradley will pick them on Friday and/or Saturday, and American fans will expect them to deliver some points.
Henley admitted in his press conference before the Ryder Cup that he is looking forward to the challenge and will not feel more pressure if he plays with Scheffler.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think the pressure that I feel is the pressure that I put on myself. I’ve been friends with Scottie for a bunch of years now and get along with him great. I don’t really feel that from him. I just enjoy being around him.
Henley then explained that he would feel differently about playing with Tiger Woods because they do not have the same relationship.
“I feel like if I were paired with Tiger, it would probably feel a little bit different just because I grew up watching Tiger all the time, and because Scottie is younger than me and I’ve spent so much time with him, I guess I just feel a little bit differently about it.”
Henley continued: “I’ve spent so much time with Scottie now, I’m just much more comfortable because we’re friends.
“Not to say I couldn’t be comfortable around Tiger. I just haven’t spent that much time with him. I just know him as “the guy” when I was growing up. Yeah, just a big difference there.”
Russell Henley has not noticed a difference in Scottie Scheffler’s mentality at the Ryder Cup
Scottie Scheffler underperformed at the 2023 Ryder Cup and will want to set the record straight at Bethpage Black.
However, Henley told reporters that he has not noticed a change in Scheffler’s mentality this week because he is always focused anyway.
“I feel like I haven’t,” he added. “I feel like he has high expectations for himself, and it doesn’t matter if he’s playing a nine-hole game for fun at home or if he’s playing in a major.
“I feel like he holds himself to the same standard. He wants to play great. He wants to win. I don’t think it matters what the situation is. I think that’s just how he’s wired.”
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