Berry Henson has collected a few nicknames during a career that has taken him from the Pepsi Tour to the U.S. Open, but the one he wears most proudly on The International Series is “big brother”.
Known to friends and fans as “The Hensonator”, the American has become one of the most recognisable figures on the Asian circuit, building a journeyman career defined by persistence, humour and countless miles on the road.
Henson made his first breakthrough in Asia after progressing through the 2011 Asian Tour Qualifying School, finishing 11th at Final Stage. Just five events later, he captured the Clearwater Masters on the Asian Development Tour before following it up two weeks later with victory at the ICTSI Philippine Open.
More than a decade on, and with 32 starts on The International Series to his name, Henson has evolved into one of the circuit's senior figures, the player younger professionals regularly turn to for advice and guidance.
That role is not limited to weeks when he is playing deep into the weekend. Even after missing a cut, Henson can still be found around the course on a Saturday, cheering on friends, mixing with fellow pros and lending support to those still chasing the title.
“There are guys who ask me questions, rely on me a little bit for information, ask what’s going on with the tour,” Henson said.
“When I came out on tour, I was looking up to the guys who’d been out here a while, especially Jason Knutson. I think I’m part of that now, as I’ve gotten more mature, not older.”
That instinct to look out for others was clear at International Series Japan in April, when Henson delayed his own travel plans to watch close friend Travis Smyth claim his maiden International Series title. Smyth sealed victory at Caledonian Golf Club with a dramatic eagle putt on the 18th, taking the title by one shot.
“Me and Travis are pretty good friends out here, we travel together most weeks,” Henson said. “I was in the players’ lounge watching, and I felt like if he could get it in the fairway on 18, he was going to make eagle.
“So I wanted to watch that as a spectator, even though he’s my good friend. Being there to watch him hole that putt was pretty special for him, that’s probably the biggest win of his career. To celebrate with him a little before my flight left was enjoyable for both of us.”
Moments like those explain why Henson remains one of the most popular personalities on The International Series, not only for what he does with a golf club, but for the way he shows up for others.
His wider story has also travelled well beyond the ropes. In 2023, Henson made his U.S. Open debut at Los Angeles Country Club after a long career across tours including the Pepsi Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Tour, Korean Tour and Sunshine Tour.
By then, many fans already knew another part of his journey. While sidelined with a wrist injury in 2016, Henson began driving for Uber in the Palm Springs area, eventually logging around 3,000 rides and becoming one of golf’s more unlikely grinders.
That willingness to stay engaged, whether through a growing social media following, or simply being present for a friend’s biggest moment, has helped Henson become one of the genuine characters on The International Series.
Now based in Thailand, Henson continues to juggle a busy schedule as he looks ahead to the second half of the season.
“I’ll play some ADTs throughout the summer to keep busy and get ready for the big swing towards the end of the year starting in September,” he said.
