Harris English embraces ‘grind’ in Farmers Insurance Open win

Harris English has knocked on Torrey Pines’ door before.

In 2015, the 35-year-old held the 54-hole lead at Torrey Pines before losing to Jason Day in a playoff. Six years later, English found himself in contention at the 2021 U.S. Open, finishing third behind champion Jon Rahm and runner-up Louis Oosthuizen.

On Saturday, English finally hit one of his favorite courses on the PGA Tour. English needs to make every point count as she holds a one-shot lead over rival Andrew Novak at the start of the final round of the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open It takes skill and perseverance to survive the rigors and avoid becoming a bridesmaid again at the iconic La Jolla, California course.

English stumbled out of the gate early. He didn’t make a bogey. 1 and no. 5 goals behind Novak. But English pulled one back in the sixth with Bride and then steadied himself as the others faded away.

Well, everyone except Sam Stevens.

Stevens exited early with a 4-under 68 to enter the clubhouse at 7-under, putting the pressure on English to go home.

But despite not showing his best performance on Saturday, English never blinked. He hit just four fairways and eight greens in the regular tournament. He ranked 50th overall in strokes gained off the tee in the fourth round (-0.435). But he went 7-for-9 from steals in regulation and averaged 1.88 putts per green. English made 11 consecutive pars from No. 1 onwards. 7-17, including a clutch two-putt from 56 feet on No. 17.

English needed 12 straight pars to secure his first win since 2021 when he reached the par-5 18th.

As has been a theme all day, English was wild off the tee, hitting the ball low and then walking away. His ball went across the golf cart lane and was blocked by a eucalyptus tree. English took a conservative route and hit the ball down the fairway, still 122 yards away on third down. Needing one last clean full swing to etch his name on the coveted trophy, English pulled a sand wedge out of his bag and hit his third shot to 24 feet, making sure he could put it. Two-putted and returned to the winner’s circle for the first time.

“Yeah, it’s always a journey,” English, who finished one shot ahead of Stevens at 8 under, told CBS reporter Amanda Balionis after the round. (Amanda Balionis) said in an interview. “I’m 35 now. I’ve been doing this for 14 years and it’s never been easier. I enjoy the grind. I love playing on the PGA Tour and doing things like this. That’s how we play. Purpose.

“I have a lot of respect for this game and a lot of respect for the players here. It’s hard to win. I might look calm on the court, but inside I’m going crazy. I just know how hard it is to win, but it’s so much fun. , when you do that, you have to immerse yourself in it.

Now a five-time PGA Tour winner, English always thought he could find a way to win at Torrey Pines.

On Saturday, with the wind howling and everyone around him stumbling, English steeled his nerve and earned the win of the decade.

“I like tough setups, tough conditions,” English said. “I’ve played well on this golf course in the past. Close in the U.S. Open here. Lost in the playoffs here. I like the way this course has set up for me. I like that, just like me and my man [caddie Eric Larson] Say, “You have to put on your mouthpiece.” I feel like I did that today. Hit the right spot and keep yourself in it. Keep at it.

English continued to chop down Saturday, and when Torrey Pines tore down the field, he was the only one still standing because he was the one most willing to take the test.

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