Harris English
Harris English (born July 23, 1989) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour, where he has achieved five victories and established himself as a consistent performer with over $40 million in career earnings.[1][2] Born in Valdosta, Georgia, English honed his skills at the University of Georgia before turning professional in 2011, earning his PGA Tour card for the 2012 season through strong performances on the Korn Ferry Tour, including a win at the 2011 Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational.[1][3] His breakthrough came in 2013 with two PGA Tour triumphs: the FedEx St. Jude Classic and the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, marking him as a rising star in the sport.[1] English's career reached new heights during the 2020–2021 season, where he captured the Travelers Championship in a playoff and the Sentry Tournament of Champions in a wire-to-wire victory, both propelling him to a career-high world ranking inside the top 20.[1] In 2025, he finished runner-up at The Open Championship, added his fifth PGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Open, with four top-10 finishes that year contributing to his current 13th position in the Official World Golf Ranking as of November 2025.[1][4] Beyond individual success, English has represented the United States in prestigious team events, including the 2021 Ryder Cup—his debut in the competition—and the 2011 Walker Cup during his amateur career.[1][5] Known for his steady ball-striking and putting prowess, he has made 265 cuts in 359 PGA Tour starts, amassing 51 top-10 finishes as of November 2025.[1]Early life and amateur career
Early life and education
Harris English was born on July 23, 1989, in Valdosta, Georgia, and raised in Moultrie, Georgia, by his parents, Ben and Martha English.[2][6][7] His introduction to golf came early through family influence, as his father, a former University of Georgia basketball player, first took him to the course at age six.[8] English developed a passion for the sport amid this familial encouragement, playing regularly during his youth in Moultrie.[7] For high school, English attended the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from 2003 to 2007, where he excelled on the golf team, leading it to four state championships and securing an individual state title in 2005.[9][10] English later enrolled at the University of Georgia, where he played on the Bulldogs golf team and earned a degree in consumer economics in 2011.[1][11]College golf at Georgia
Harris English joined the University of Georgia Bulldogs men's golf team in fall 2008 as a freshman and competed for four seasons through spring 2011, graduating with a degree in consumer economics.[12][13] During his time with the Bulldogs, he contributed to several team successes, including appearances at the NCAA Regionals in 2009 and 2010, where Georgia advanced as the top seed in 2009 and finished 11th in the 2010 Central Regional.[14][15] English also helped the team secure a Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship in 2010, anchoring the lineup during the title run at Sea Island Golf Club.[16][17] Individually, English made an immediate impact, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2008 after posting strong results in his debut season.[10] He received All-SEC recognition in 2009 and 2010, and was selected as a Second-Team All-American by Golfweek in 2010 while also earning Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status for his academic and athletic performance that year.[18][19][20] Over his career, English compiled a scoring average of 72.45—ranking 12th in program history—and recorded a low round of 64, achieved during his junior season.[13] English secured four individual collegiate victories, highlighting his consistency and competitive edge. Notable among these was his win at the 2009 Olympia Fields Invitational, where he claimed the title by three strokes with rounds of 68-71-69.[6][21] At the 2010 NCAA Championships in Ooltewah, Tennessee, he posted a strong showing in stroke play to help Georgia reach match play, though the Bulldogs fell in the quarterfinals; English advanced individually with a tie for fifth in the regional earlier that season.[22] In his senior year at the 2011 NCAA Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma, he tied for 10th in stroke play at 1-over-par before Georgia lost in the finals to Augusta State.[23]Amateur achievements and wins
Harris English began his notable amateur career with a victory at the 2007 Georgia Amateur Championship, where, at age 17, he overcame a five-stroke deficit in the final round to finish at even-par 288 and claim the title.[24] This win marked him as one of the youngest champions in the event's history and highlighted his early potential as a top junior golfer.[25] In 2010, English qualified for the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, advancing through stroke-play qualifying with rounds of 67-63 at his site and reaching the quarterfinals in match play before a 19-hole loss.[26] His strong play continued into 2011, when he captured the Southern Amateur Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Florida, closing with a bogey-free 65 to win by three strokes at 9-under 275.[27] That same year, still an amateur, English achieved a rare feat by winning the Nationwide Tour's Children's Hospital Invitational in Ohio, defeating the field with a final-round 70 to finish at 15-under, becoming only the third amateur to win on the tour.[28] English's performances elevated him to as high as No. 12 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking during 2011.[29] These results earned him a spot on the 2011 U.S. Walker Cup team, where he represented the United States against Great Britain and Ireland at Royal Aberdeen in Scotland, compiling a 3-1-1 record across five matches, including two singles victories.[30] His contributions during his college career at the University of Georgia further underscored these amateur successes.Professional career
Transition to professional and Korn Ferry Tour
Harris English turned professional in September 2011, immediately following his participation in the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen in Scotland, where he contributed to the U.S. team's effort despite a narrow defeat.[31][32] Building on his amateur success, including a victory at the 2011 Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational, English competed in the 2011 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (Q-School). He advanced through the stages and finished tied for 13th at the final stage in La Quinta, California, earning conditional membership on the PGA Tour for the 2012 season.[28][33][34] The conditional status provided English with limited access to PGA Tour events based on availability, while his amateur win granted him full exempt status on the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) for 2012.[35][11] This dual access marked his initial steps in professional golf, allowing flexibility to compete on either circuit to build his career. English credited his consistent ball-striking, honed during his college years at Georgia, as a key factor in adapting to professional competition.[36] Although the Nationwide Tour offered a primary pathway for rookies, English focused on PGA Tour opportunities in 2012, playing 27 events and leveraging his conditional privileges effectively.[37]PGA Tour entry and initial seasons
Harris English earned full PGA Tour status for the 2013 season after securing his playing privileges through a strong rookie campaign in 2012, where he finished 79th in the FedExCup standings with three top-10 finishes and just five missed cuts across 27 starts.[37] In 2013, his second year on Tour, English competed in 27 events, advancing to the weekend in 20 of them while posting consistent results that highlighted his growing comfort at the professional level. He concluded the calendar year 57th on the money list with $2,090,423 in official earnings, bolstered by solid ball-striking and steady play.[38] His standout performance prior to his breakthrough victory came at the Sony Open in Hawaii, where he tied for third after rounds of 69-69-62-66.[39] English retained his full Tour card through the 2014 and 2015 seasons, maintaining status via top-125 money list finishes each year. In 2014, he demonstrated improved consistency with a scoring average of 70.8 across 28 starts, including two top-5 results that underscored his precision off the tee and with irons. Earnings climbed to $2,920,818, reflecting a solid if unspectacular campaign amid increasing competition.[38] The 2015 season brought challenges, as English finished 110th on the money list with $1,922,606 in earnings, barely retaining his card after a year marked by seven missed cuts in 25 events. While his iron play remained a strength—ranking him among the Tour's better approach players— inconsistent putting hindered his ability to convert scoring opportunities, leading to frustration and swing adjustments late in the year.[37][38]Breakthrough wins and career peak (2013–2019)
Harris English secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic, closing with a 1-under-par 69 to finish two strokes ahead of Phil Mickelson and Scott Stallings.[40] Later that year, he claimed his second title at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, firing a final-round 6-under 65 to win by four strokes over Brian Stuard.[41] From 2014 to 2016, English established himself as a consistent performer with multiple top-10 finishes each season, including seven top-5 results and 10 top-10s in 2014 alone, when he earned nearly $2.95 million.[42] He reached a career-high world ranking of No. 21 in March 2015 following strong play, including a co-lead after 54 holes at the Northern Trust Open.[43] His steady results during this period highlighted his growing reliability on the tour. English did not win any tournaments between 2017 and 2019 but maintained competitiveness with 10 top-10 finishes across those seasons, such as a T10 at the 2017 FedEx St. Jude Classic.[44] His best major performance in the period was a T12 at the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.[45] By the end of 2019, his cumulative PGA Tour earnings reached approximately $14.2 million, reflecting eight years of professional success.[38] A notable aspect of English's career during this era was his frequent pairing with Matt Kuchar in team events, where they won the Franklin Templeton Shootout in 2013—setting a tournament record at 34-under-par—and again in 2016.[46] Their chemistry contributed to multiple strong showings in the scramble-format competition.Resurgence and major contention (2020–2025)
Following a challenging stretch after his peak years, Harris English mounted a strong resurgence in 2021 with two PGA Tour victories. He captured the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January by defeating Brian Harman in a playoff, securing his third career win. Later that year, English won the Travelers Championship in June, outlasting Kramer Hickok in an eight-hole playoff for his fourth PGA Tour title. These performances elevated him to a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 10th in July 2021.[47] From 2022 to 2024, English delivered consistent top-20 finishes despite setbacks from injuries. He underwent surgery in February 2022 to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, returning to competition in June after four months of recovery. Notable results included a tie for eighth at the 2023 U.S. Open, where he finished at 1-under par. A back injury forced his withdrawal from the 2024 Wyndham Championship, but he sustained a top-50 position in the OWGR throughout the period, logging multiple top-25 showings each season.[48][49][50] English's form peaked in 2025, marking his most successful season to date. He opened the year with a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, parring the final four holes at Torrey Pines to win by one stroke and claim his fifth PGA Tour title—his first since becoming a father. He followed with runner-up finishes at the PGA Championship, tying for second at 6-under at Quail Hollow, and The Open Championship, placing second at 13-under at Royal Portrush behind Scottie Scheffler. These efforts contributed to four top-10 results overall, including a tie for fourth at the Travelers Championship, and he concluded the regular season seventh in the FedEx Cup standings.[51][52][53] Across the 2020–2025 span, English amassed over $15 million in PGA Tour earnings, bolstered by his 2021 wins ($5.5 million officially) and 2025 campaign ($8.8 million). He attributed much of his revival to refinements in his putting, developed through a systematic approach with coach Ramon Bescansa, which ranked him third in strokes gained: putting during the 2025 season.[54]Professional wins
PGA Tour wins
Harris English has secured five victories on the PGA Tour, with his wins spanning from his breakthrough season in 2013 to a resurgence in 2021 and a return to form in 2025.[1] His first PGA Tour title came at the 2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic, held June 6–9 at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. English closed with a 1-under-par 69 to win at 12-under 268 over 72 holes, defeating Phil Mickelson and Scott Stallings by two strokes. This victory marked his debut on the PGA Tour win list just two years after turning professional.[40] Less than six months later, English captured his second win at the 2013 OHL Classic at Mayakoba, played November 14–17 at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He fired a final-round 6-under 65 to pull away for a four-stroke triumph over Brian Stuard, ending the 2013 season on a high note and solidifying his status as an emerging talent.[55] After a seven-year drought, English returned to the winner's circle at the 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions, contested January 7–10 at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii. He birdied the first playoff hole to defeat Joaquin Niemann after both finished regulation at 25-under par, earning his third career title and entry into the elite winners-only event.[56] His fourth victory followed later that year at the 2021 Travelers Championship, held June 24–27 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. English outlasted Kramer Hickok in an eight-hole sudden-death playoff, birdieing the par-4 18th to secure the win at 13-under par, a dramatic finish that boosted his momentum heading into the summer majors.[57] English's most recent triumph occurred at the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open, played January 22–25 at Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) in La Jolla, California. He parred the final 12 holes amid windy conditions for a 1-over 73, holding off Sam Stevens by one stroke at 8-under par to claim his fifth PGA Tour title—his first since 2021 and a testament to his resilience following hip surgery and injury challenges.[48][58]Korn Ferry Tour wins
Harris English secured his lone Korn Ferry Tour victory at the 2011 Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational, held at the Ohio State University Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio.[59] As an amateur competing for the University of Georgia, English posted rounds of 66-66-68-70 to finish at 14-under-par 270, clinching the title with a crucial 10-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.[59] He edged out John Peterson and Kyle Reifers by one stroke, both at 13-under, with Peterson bogeying the final hole after finding rough off the tee.[59] This triumph made English the third amateur to win on the tour, following in the footsteps of players like Daniel Summerhays earlier that year.[60] The victory came just one day after English's 22nd birthday, marking a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career and boosting his confidence ahead of turning professional later in 2011.[59] Although ineligible for the $144,000 winner's prize as an amateur, the win earned him valuable points and highlighted his potential on a competitive stage. English had entered the final round one shot behind Peterson but maintained composure through steady play, carding a 2-under 70 to pull ahead.[59] This breakthrough performance played a key role in English's smooth transition to the professional ranks, where he subsequently earned his PGA Tour card via Q-School in December 2011.[37] It underscored his readiness for higher-level competition and set the foundation for a successful rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2012, where he posted three top-10 finishes.[37]Other professional wins
Harris English has achieved three victories in the Franklin Templeton Shootout (later rebranded as the QBE Shootout), all in partnership with Matt Kuchar, highlighting their successful collaboration in this annual team event held at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida.[61][62] In December 2013, English and Kuchar won their first Shootout title together, finishing at 34-under par after posting rounds of 60 (scramble), 64 (modified best-ball), and 58 (better-ball), securing the victory by seven strokes over Retief Goosen and Fredrik Jacobson.[63][46] This performance tied the tournament record for the largest margin of victory at the time and earned each player $375,000 from the $3.1 million purse.[64][65] They repeated as champions in December 2016, closing with a 7-under 65 in the final better-ball round to finish at 28-under par, edging out Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly by one stroke.[66][67] The win, following runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2015, netted each $385,000 from the event's $3.1 million purse.[68][69] English and Kuchar claimed their third title in December 2020 at the QBE Shootout, setting a new tournament record at 37-under par with rounds of 58 (scramble), 61 (modified best-ball), and 60 (better-ball), winning by nine strokes ahead of the field.[61][70] As the first team to win the event three times, they each received $447,500 from the $3.6 million purse, marking the only non-official money events in English's professional career.[71][72] These Florida-based team victories, conducted in a unique format combining scramble, modified best-ball, and better-ball play, have contributed approximately $1.2 million to English's career earnings through shared purses.[61]Major championships
Results summary
Harris English has participated in the major championships since 2012, with his results reflecting steady progression in contention levels over time. The table below details his finishes in each of the four majors by year, where "DNP" indicates did not participate, "CUT" indicates missed cut, and "T" denotes a tie for the position.[73]| Year | Masters Tournament | U.S. Open | The Open Championship | PGA Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | DNP | DNP | T54 | DNP |
| 2013 | DNP | DNP | T15 | T61 |
| 2014 | CUT | T48 | CUT | CUT |
| 2015 | DNP | DNP | T68 | T48 |
| 2016 | T42 | T37 | T46 | T60 |
| 2017 | DNP | T46 | DNP | DNP |
| 2018 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2019 | DNP | T58 | DNP | DNP |
| 2020 | DNP | 4 | DNP* | T19 |
| 2021 | T21 | 3 | T46 | T64 |
| 2022 | DNP | T61 | CUT | DNP |
| 2023 | T43 | T8 | CUT | CUT |
| 2024 | T22 | T41 | T50 | T18 |
| 2025 | T12 | T59 | 2 | T2 |