Russell Henley birdies last three holes and first extra hole to win Charles Schwab Challenge

Russell Henley birdied the last three holes to force a playoff with Eric Cole, and then birdied the first extra hole to capture his sixth career PGA Tour title at famed Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Henley, 37, rallied late with birdies from 15 feet on 16, 17 and 18 to card a round of 67 and set the clubhouse target of 12-under par, which was soon matched by Cole who made par on 18 in the group ahead. 

Back down the par-4 18th for a sudden-death playoff, and Henley was back for more as he fired a dart to five feet, and when Cole missed his birdie attempt from 15 feet, the stage was left for the American to seal the deal.

The win marks the sixth of Henley's PGA Tour career and first since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2025. 

It also moves him back inside the world's top 10. 

"It was tricky out there, I felt a little uncomfortable on the front nine and I made some poor swings," Henley told Sky's Rich Beem.

"I never stopped fighting though. I just felt like down the closing stretch I was doing a lot of good things."

Henley found himself three shots off the pace with three holes to play, and even priced up at odds of 50/1 with the bookmakers at the time, but he was not prepared to throw the towel in. 

"I just kept telling myself I want to win," Henley told CBS' Amanda Balionis. 

"I want to be here, make these putts and be in contention, and this is why I practice hard.

"To come back and do that in the playoff, I would say that's the most nervous I've ever been over a putt."

He added: "The longer you play this game, you want more success. 

"I feel like I've worked harder and harder. I've been a bit off mentally this year, but have fought well to the end." 

Henley pocketed a first prize of $1.782m - check out the full prize money payouts at the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge. 

The runner-up finish marks another close call for Cole, who is still seeking a first PGA Tour title. 

Cole led by two shots with three holes to play, but could failed to hold off Henley's late surge.

"Yeah, obviously disappointed," said Cole. 

"I felt like I played pretty well for the most part, it's a tricky course. I hung pretty tough, it's disappointing, but played well and proud of that."

Ben Griffin, Mac Meissner and Alex Smalley rounded out the top five in a share of third place on 11-under par.