Synovus Brand Ambassador Henley Named to U.S. Presidents Cup Team

By Ken Klavon, Synovus

Last year in between shots during a promotional video shoot, Russell Henley sat on a stool fiddling with a golf club as he fielded questions about his career.

Ever since being named the 2010 Haskins Award winner as the most outstanding collegiate golfer at the University of Georgia, the Synovus brand ambassador has set a high bar for himself.

“I'd love to make a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup team,” said Henley, a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR, when asked what he’d like to achieve going forward. “And I think the biggest thing I see year in year out is [that] I want to be consistent. I play 25 events a year, and in those 25 events, I want to go and play well.”

“Playing well” helped him realize one of those goals on September 3. That’s because Henley was named to the 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup 12-player team by captain Jim Furyk. The biennial event between the U.S. and an international squad representing the world — excluding Europe — will be played later this month (September 24-29) at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal. 

For the 35-year-old Henley, it will mark his first appearance as a player.

“The opportunity to represent the United States in this year’s Presidents Cup is an incredible honor for me,” said Henley. “I’m humbled to play for captain Furyk alongside so many of my talented peers. Can’t wait to get up to Montreal and tee it up. Go USA!”  

Henley wasn’t an accidental pick. The trajectory of his 11-year PGA TOUR career has risen like an ascending lob shot. Consistency and back-to-back strong seasons caught Furyk’s attention.

This year Henley posted six top-10 finishes, which included three fourth-place showings while grinding his way to solo fifth in the Open Championship. At the 2023 Masters, he tied for fourth. Henley ended this season on a high note with a fourth-place finish at the PGA TOUR Championship. Ranking in the top 10 in putting average and driving accuracy no doubt assisted with consistent performances, helping to propel him to 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“[Russell] is unflappable under pressure and without doubt one of the best putters in our game, which is a fantastic combination for match play success,” said Furyk in a statement.

Since the inception of the Presidents Cup in 1994, more than $56.4 million has been raised from event proceeds. Players aren’t paid for their participation, and there is no prize money or a purse. However, each competitor allocates an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice. Last year Henley spoke about his motivation to give back. Each year he partners with former Major League Baseball pitcher Kevin Brown to host the “Five Star Kevin Brown Russell Henley Celebrity Classic,” sponsored by Synovus. The star-studded charity golf tournament raises money for various causes.

“The participation and collaborative effort to give back and support multiple charities is what makes it so rewarding for me and my family,” said Henley before last year’s charity event.

In any event, Henley hopes to first help the U.S. bolster its record in the Presidents Cup — which stands at 12-1-1 in the event's history — and continue toward realizing more career goals.