J.J. Henry: From Connecticut Golf Prodigy To PGA Tour Champion
Discover how J.J. Henry rose from a junior golf star in Connecticut to a three-time PGA Tour winner and Ryder Cup player. Learn about his early life, professional highlights, and lasting impact on the game.
Jul 28, 20251.4K Shares117.9K Views
J.J. Henrywas born on April 2, 1975, in Fairfield, Connecticut. He was introduced to the game at a young age by his father, Ron Henry Jr., who was a strong amateur golfer competing in both U.S. and British Amateur championships. J.J. learned to chip and putt early on with help from his father and grandfather, often practicing on a putting green and bunker built in his grandfather’s backyard and hitting balls on the beach near home.
J.J. began playing competitive golf at age 12, entering junior tournaments like the Jay Borck Memorial Junior, which he won in both 1991 and 1992. He attended Fairfield High School, where he led the golf team to two state championships and finished his high school career undefeated with a record of 76–0–2.
He earned early recognition as a junior star and built a strong foundation that later helped him succeed in college and professional golf.
Professional Career
J.J. Henry turned professional in 1998 after a standout college career at Texas Christian University. He joined the secondary tour (Buy.com/Nationwide Tour) in 1999, and his first professional win came in 2000 at the Knoxville Open, earning him promotion to the PGA Tour in 2001.
His first PGA Tour victory came in 2006 at the Buick Championship, held in his home state of Connecticut. He shot a total of 14-under-par 266 and won by three strokes, becoming the first Connecticut golfer to take that title. That win also earned him a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team where he halved all three matches he played.
Henry's second PGA Tour win came in 2012 at the Reno-Tahoe Open, a tournament using the modified Stableford scoring format. He beat Alexandre Rocha by one point and won $540,000.
His third PGA Tour victory occurred in 2015 at the Barracuda Championship, again using Stableford scoring. He sank a dramatic 15‑foot eagle putt on the second playoff hole to clinch the title.
Across his PGA Tour career, Henry earned over $16 million and achieved consistent performance by finishing inside the Top 125 on the money list every year from 2001 to 2015, preserving his tour status annually.
Beyond his tours, Henry launched the Henry House Foundation in 2006, supporting projects that promote children’s health and well-being in Fort Worth and southern New England.
He remained active on the Tour into his late 40s and plans to join the Champions Tour after turning 50 in April 2025. He also partnered in a golf club development near Fort Worth, called Avanzada Golf & Ranch Club, expected to open around spring 2025.
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