Russell Henley upstages Collin Morikawa to win Arnold Palmer Invitational

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Russell Henley gave his 2025 Ryder Cup prospects a massive boost with the biggest victory of his life at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Henley carded a 2-under 70 at Bay Hill on Sunday to reach 11-under and win by one over Collin Morikawa. 

Morikawa began the final round with a one stroke lead over Henley and looked as though he was going to breeze to his seventh PGA Tour title.

But the two-time major champion made sloppy bogeys at the 10th and 14th to open the door for Henley. 

Henley played the front nine in 1-over par but put circles on his card at the 12th and 14th to make Morikawa sweat. 

He then chipped in for eagle at the par-5 16th hole to take the lead with two holes remaining. 

Morikawa did his best to pile the pressure on down the 72nd hole and had an opportunity to extend the contest.  

But he raced his birdie putt nine feet past the hole. Morikawa sank his par putt and forced Henley to hole out from three feet for the win.

"I was just so nervous," Henley told Golf Channel after landing his fifth PGA Tour title. "Just so unbelievably nervous. I feel like I can't breathe right now."

He added: "I've grown up watching this event and just seeing all the amazing finishes coming down the stretch, and you never really think you're going to get that opportunity to come down the 18th and make a par to win. 

"It's really just hard to take in right now. It's a tremendous honour, and that's what's so cool about this game, is to go play where all the legends have played."

Victory means Henley is likely to make his Ryder Cup debut at Bethpage Black in September. 

Henley was part of the victorious Presidents Cup team last September and picked up three points for Team USA in Montreal. 

Elsewhere, Jason Day was in contention down the stretch but made a devastating double bogey at the 16th when he was only trailing by two. 

Day found the water with his approach and went on to share eighth place with Justin Rose and Ben An. 

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley hit a final round 64 and finished four behind Henley. 

Corey Conners, Michael Kim, Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry also finished in the top-10. 

Conners and Kim booked their spots in the 2025 Open Championship field as a result of their performances at Bay Hill. 

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler finished just outside the top-10. Rory McIlroy shared 15th spot and explained why he decided to tinker with his equipment. 

Xander Schauffele made his first start since hurting his rib and barely made the 36-hole cut.

Schauffele shared 40th place.