PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Russell Henley never has played a round with Rory McIlroy, but Henley knows it’s not going to be easy to catch the leader in Sunday’s Honda Classic final round.
Henley, a one-time PGA Tour winner as the 2013 Sony Open champion in his first professional start, put himself in position to chase down McIlroy after shooting 2-under-par 68 in Saturday’s third round at PGA National, leaving him two shots out of the lead.
Though Henley will be paired with McIlroy in the final group Sunday, he sounded like a player much more concerned with trying to conquer the golf course than his playing partner.
“When I think about chasing, I’m trying not to pay attention to what Rory is doing,’’ Henley said. “Obviously, he’s playing great and he’s been in this situation a little bit more than me. But I still have a lot of confidence, and I’m just going to try to play my game and not worry about what he’s doing too much.
“This golf course is so hard. It demands a lot out of your game, and the wind’s been changing on us, and it’s firmed up a little bit. I think you’ve got to play all 18 holes every single time. That’s really important for me, because there’s never a place where the course really let’s up on you.’’
One of the things Henley will try not to think about is the fact a win would secure a spot in the Masters, something particularly special because he’s from nearby Macon, Ga.
“There’s not a day goes by I don’t think about the Masters,’’ said Henley, who played it for the first time last year and missed the cut. “I grew up in Macon, Georgia, went to the Masters growing up as a kid almost every year on Saturday or Sunday. So not a day goes by I don’t think about that, and that probably gets in my way more than it helps. But … it’s such a long way off to even be talking about that.’’
As for the challenge of overtaking McIlroy, the 2012 Honda Classic champion and a two-time major winner, Henley said he relishes the challenge.
“I live for it,” he said. “This is one of those things where it doesn’t get much better. I’m in the final group with a great player. I haven’t played with him yet but I’ve heard great things about him.
“I just hope I can go out there and play well. I can’t wait, and hopefully I can be in this situation a lot more in the future.’’
Brendon de Jonge, who began the day one shot behind McIlroy, shot 76 and tumbled to a tie for 24th at 3-under par. … Lee Westwood, who has had success at this event, lives nearby and practices at Old Palm Golf Club across the street never made the move many expected he might.
He started the day 7-under and four behind McIlroy and shot 73 to fall to 4-under.
The biggest fall came from William McGirt, who began the day 6-under, five shots out of the lead, and shot 78 to miss the third-round cut.