Berry Henson always envisioned moments like this. He’s at the US Open, playing practice rounds with Phil Mickelson and soaking up all the information he can get for his first major championship against the best players in the world.
He just didn’t imagine it would take him 20 years. She did not plan to play more than a dozen tours at home and abroad. He grew up near Palm Springs, went to college in San Diego and now has a base of operations in Thailand.
He has a second job as an Uber driver.
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Berry Henson prepares to answer questions at the US Open golf tournament at the Los Angeles Country Club, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
And on Thursday morning, at age 43, his name will be called on the 10th tee at the Los Angeles Country Club to tee off at the US Open.
«I’m starting my journey,» Henson said. «Sounds weird, 43, starting your journey, but I’ve never given up. I’ve always tried to get 1% better. That’s been our motto. That’s the path I’m on now. And it just happened a little bit later. And We’re going to keep doing it until I can’t anymore.»
This is one of the great attractions of the US Open, the major that truly lives up to its name. The USGA accepted a record 10,187 entries. Twenty of them at LACC had to start 18-hole local qualifiers at 109 golf courses, and were among 530 players who advanced to 36-hole qualifiers for the right to reach Beverly Hills.
«It’s a lot of fun to have the opportunity to come play the biggest golf tournament in America,» said Olin Browne Jr., one of those 20 players. «I think this is the Super Bowl of golf. It’s unbelievable. And it’s unbelievable that they give people like me the opportunity to play two qualifiers to get here.»
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Berry Henson of the United States tees off the 10th tee with his caddy during the first round of the Cazoo Classic at London Golf Club on August 12, 2021 in West Kingsdown, England. (Andres Redington/Getty Images)
Henson had it easier than most years he tried (and failed). A decade ago, when he was at his last chance with $5,000 to go all in, he headed to the Asian Tour Q school, won the first stage, and got his card in the final.
He has done well enough, certainly not getting rich, to break into the top 500 in the world rankings and get a free pass to the US Open final rankings. He chose Canoe Brook in New Jersey and, despite a double bogey on his first hole, he shot 64 and then held with a 71 to be among four players to do it.
He described the last week since he arrived as «having the upper hand for seven days straight.»
«I haven’t been sleeping that well,» Henson said. «Obviously the attention has been amazing. I’m very blessed, very honored and honored to be here at the US Open for my first major.»
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Berry Henson of the United States plays his second shot on the 5th hole during day two of the England International Series at Slaley Hall on June 3, 2022 in Hexham, England. (Aitor Alcalde/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
As for that trip? where to start
He took a job at a golf resort hotel so he could play. He turned pro at the University of San Diego without the pedigree of most others and without listening to anyone who said he wasn’t good enough to do this for a living.
«A lot of people told me I couldn’t do it,» Henson said. “I think that turned my stomach on. I told myself in college, ‘Hey, if I don’t see an improvement in my game, I’m going to do something else.’ But every year I seem to get a little better, a little better, a little better. And yes, we are here at 43 years old, playing my first major championship.»
Browne can relate. He’s gotten a closer look at where he wants to be by watching his father, a three-time PGA Tour winner. Browne ended up in Pepperdine and also took the road less traveled, with no stops at outposts around the world.
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Berry Henson answers questions at the US Open golf tournament at the Los Angeles Country Club, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
He started on the National Pro Tour, did a year in Latin America, four years in Canada with stops on the Korn Ferry Tour along the way. The most recent stop for the 34-year-old Browne has been the Minor League Tour in Florida. Browne has lost count of how many times he tried to qualify for the US Open, and even now he remembers what it took for him.
«I actually had to hit a 30-footer in regulation to even get to a tiebreaker on the premises,» Browne said. «Thinking back to what happened on Monday, that 30-footer coming in was a big deal.»
The Monday he was referring to was a week ago in Columbus, Ohio, the final playoff that featured the most players on the PGA Tour. Browne beat them all as a medalist to advance.
They are among the long shots. Perhaps one of them is the version of Michael Block, the California pro club who played Rory McIlroy in the final round of the PGA Championship, hole-in-one on the final day at Oak Hill and tied for 15th place.
Maybe they will be like many others at the US Open and leave with memories on Friday.
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Berry Henson of the United States putting on the 18th green during day two of The R&A supported Farmfoods Scottish Challenge 2022 at Newmachar Golf Club on May 27, 2022 in Aberdeen, UK. (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
It doesn’t matter. They did it. Henson, known by his college nickname «Hensonator,» believes that the way he’s fought against great odds just to get here should serve him well.
«I think being humble, feeling comfortable, enjoying the experience and letting my game do the talking, and I hope it does this week, I can only take positive things out of this week,» he said. «It’s just going to be a win-win in every way. My team is very excited to be here. I’m excited to be here. The USGA has been amazing for me.»
«Yeah, I’m going to take it all in.»