Henley, who was born and bred in Georgia, will now compete in his home-state major championship for the fourth time after the 27-year-old charged home with a seven under par 65 in the final round at the Golf Club of Houston – defeating South Korean Sung Kang by three shots.

Henley didn’t expect to be making the drive down Magnolia Lane this year, and was still coming to terms with his change of plans after his final round in Houston.

“The fact I get to go back is pretty cool and I'm excited. It hasn't really sunk in yet, though,” he said.

Henley credited his back-to-back birdies at the closing holes during the third round on Saturday, which got him within four shots of Kang’s lead, as the start to his charge to victory.

“I rolled in a long one there (17th hole) and one on 18. The next thing you know, I'm four off and got some momentum. Took a lot of confidence from that,” the American said of his Saturday finish.

The tournament still appeared Kang’s to lose as players teed off in groups of three, from two tees early on Sunday, due to a threatening weather forecast. With multiple Tour winners in Henley and fellow American Rickie Fowler hot on his heels, Kang never got going in his final round, making only two birdies, which were offset by two bogeys for an even par closing round. Kang had set the course alight over the first two days with a 36-hole scoring record 16 under par, 128.

Fowler started slow but righted the ship to finish four shots back in a tie for third with Luke List, and will take good form to Augusta where he will be one of the bookmakers’ favourites.

Henley is one of the best putters on the PGA Tour and rode a hot putter to ten birdies in his final round. A bogey at the last did nothing to dampen his spirits as he secured his third Tour win after struggling in 2016. The proud University of Georgia Bulldog believes a tough 2016 changed him for the better.

“This is a great experience for me to win. I'm confident about it, but, I mean, I also look back on all the times I've struggled, too, and I feel like its moulded me to be tougher,” he said.

Victorian Aaron Baddeley was the best finisher of the Australians, finishing T-15th. The 36-year-old fired two bogey-free rounds of 68 through his first 36 holes, but never managed to get going on the weekend.