Harris English, a 23 year old former Georgia Bulldog, captured his first PGA Tour title on Sunday. English fired a final round 1 under 69 for a two stroke victory, and 12 under total. English had a small support group following him in Sundays final round. ”I had probably 10 high school friends out there today,” English said. ”And I know that if I make a birdie or a bogey, they’re probably going to be the same and they’re rooting me on. I was just really relaxed out there today. Bogeyed eight and nine, which was tough. But I knew if I kept it together on the back nine, I could make a run at the thing.”
English had an up and down day making six birdies and five bogies. English got four of his birdies on the back nine and saw on No. 14 that he was near the lead at 10 under. He made a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to tie Stallings for the lead, but Stallings bogeyed No. 18 to give English the lead to himself. English made a 17-foot birdie putt on No. 17, and overcame shaking hands as he two-putted No. 18 to pick up the winner’s check of $1,026,000.
Phil Mickelson will have some mojo headed to Merion. A final round 67 gives lefty the confidence in his game to capture that elusive US Open title. ”I’m really encouraged with the way I hit my irons,” Mickelson said. ”Got to get the 3-wood in play a little bit more, although next week at Merion distance won’t be as critical as TPC Southwind. I’ll be able to hit higher and softer shots”
Defending Champion Dustin Johnson Tied for 10th, giving him some much needed positivity heading to Merion after suffering some injuries which forced him to withdraw from more than a couple tournaments this year. Three time major champion Padraig Harrington also tied for 10th and heads to Merion in good form. Harrington, like Mickelson, prefers to play his way into major championship form. Harrington typically plays the two weeks prior to Majors, where as worlds #1 &2 Woods and McIlroy take 1-2 weeks off depending on the schedule.
By Dustin Edwards
