Sudden death playoff decides winner of Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial
Russell Henley birdied the final four holes, including in a sudden death playoff, to win the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday at Colonial Country Club.
Henley tracked down third-round leader Eric Cole to earn his victory. Henley shot 3-under 67 in the final round to finish at 12-under 268. Cole shot even-par 70 in the final round.
After the win, Henley talked about when he knew he’d have a chance to pull off the victory.
“When I made it the putt on 17,” he said. “I knew that I had a chance to put a little pressure if I played 18 well, and so just seeing those putts go in. Just kept fighting, and just got a little bit of momentum, and hard to believe I’m sitting here.”
It was the sixth win of Henley’s career and his first since winning the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
Henley talked about what it took to get the win, and how he kept his momentum heading into the playoff hole.
“I was still kind of running on pure adrenaline at that moment,” he said. “I was glad I got to go hit a few balls off one tee while I was waiting, just to kind of swing my arms a little bit and just kind of try to get into a little bit of a rhythm, because I was very excited. So that was huge for me, and then just continued on into the last hole, and, yeah, crazy finish. I’m just over the moon.”
For Henley, a Georgia native, it was his fourth top-10 finish of the season and his first since finishing third at the Masters.
Before the playoff the pair had to fight off a furious charge from last year’s winner, Ben Griffin, who started the day in 19th place but had the final day’s best round at 5-under 65. He finished tied for third with SMU product Mac Meissner and Alex Smalley at 11-under.
“Went into the round very confident,” Griffin said. “I felt like I was going to make a nice run [when] I woke up this morning. My game was trending in the right direction. It’s a course I have experience on and I kind of know what you have to do on Sunday here, after last year learning.
“The course always does this here. It plays way tougher on Sunday compared to Thursday. So it was awesome to make a charge there, especially on the front nine. Kind of cooled off on the back, but nonetheless, it’s tough and I was proud of the way I finished.”
Henley now has a 2-2 record in playoffs, while Cole fell to 0-2, and the latter said he was happy with his performance despite the result.
“I was proud with the way I played,” Cole said. “I think I played solid for the most part, I drove the ball pretty well. Yeah, I just needed to get shave a shot somewhere. But, yeah, no, I was proud of the way I played, and it’s disappointing but I still feel good.”
On the playoff hole, Cole just missed his birdie attempt, then Henley nailed his from just under 5 feet.
Henley shared his win with his wife and children and talked about how much it meant to win with his family in attendance.
“My wife is my best friend, and just gives me so much confidence,” Henley said. “And this morning I called her when I was at the course, I just asked if she would pray for me and pray for the ability to fight and the ability to have dependence on the Lord, while I was out there, and so she’s just my best friend and gives me so much confidence and just supports me so well. [She] gives me the freedom to go play well, or play poorly. So just so special to have them with me. I love them so much.”
This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 5:32 PM.
