PGA – Memphis Flyer

Harris English will be a familiar face when fans return to TPC Southwind this week for the World Golf Championships — FedEx St. Jude Invitational. The 32-year-old PGA veteran has risen to 14th in the World Golf Rankings and finished third in this year’s U.S. Open. His very first Tour win came in Memphis (in 2013).

Memphis Flyer: Welcome back. What do you recall about your first visit to TPC Southwind eight years ago?

Harris English: A lot of good memories there. I rented a house off the first tee with some good friends. We had a fun week. One of my best friends from high school in Chattanooga was in med school there. It felt like I had a big crowd cheering me on. Closing it out with a birdie on 17 and a solid par on 18 will always make special memories. You never want to have a tournament given to you, and I felt like I had to earn it. It makes you believe in yourself, and it couldn’t have happened at a better place than Memphis.

You have found a groove in 2021, doubling your career victories (now four). What’s been the difference in your game?

I’ve found more consistency. I don’t like missing putts. My putting and short game have always been the backbone of my game. And tee to green, I’ve gotten better, given myself more chances to win golf tournaments.

You finished third in the U.S. Open (at Torrey Pines in San Diego), the closest you’ve come to winning your first major. What was that final round like, knowing you were in the mix for that trophy?

That’s why you put all the hours in, both in the gym and on the course. I love how the U.S. Open is set up. You have to play smart and be good, all-around, and disciplined. It’s nice to showcase that. I really enjoyed it. I’m getting closer and closer.

Memphis is getting used to World Golf Championships status (third year for the FedEx St. Jude Invitational). Could you share some perspective on the significance of the WGC events?

I’m really happy for Memphis. FedEx has been the biggest sponsor on the PGA Tour for years. It’s great that they have a tournament where they’re guaranteed many of the biggest names in the sport, right in their backyard. [The WGC status] has given me even more of spark to get back there. I love the people that run the tournament. It made it even sweeter. You have to earn your spot there. It’s not easy to make the field.

Crowds are back. They’ll be cheering a familiar face when you arrive. Did the lack of fans in 2020 impact your game at all?

You get used to crowds lining the fairway, and lining the greens. You feel their energy, especially on Saturday and Sunday. It was weird [without fans]. Almost like you’re playing a practice round. You had to really psyche yourself up, have your caddy pump you up. A lot of people struggled with it. I don’t usually have a ton of people following me, not like Tiger [Woods]. It had to be really weird for him. We love having fans on the course.

When you plan a round at Southwind, are there certain holes you give extra focus?

Southwind is sneaky. Holes can seem pretty benign, but they can get you. It’s one of the more underrated courses we play. Number three can be an eagle hole, or it can be a bogey hole if you don’t put the ball in the fairway. Same for number nine. Fifteen, that short par four. You’ve got to put the ball in the fairway.

The PGA Tour is entering what amounts to a post-Tiger era. Do you feel like the sport is in good hands with new headliners, including yourself?

There are so many good young golfers. It shows where college programs have been the last twenty years. Players are ready for action on the PGA Tour. They have experience and they’re not scared. They can play under pressure. In our sport, you can have a 22-year-old win a tournament or a 52-year-old win a tournament. It’s unique to our sport. The game’s in great hands. Like everyone else, I want Tiger to come back healthy and win more tournaments. But we have some other big names playing well, and carrying what Tiger and Phil Mickelson are leaving behind.

The tournament remains deeply connected to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Any thoughts on this relationship?

It’s incredible. It puts things in perspective. Here I am, playing golf, doing what I love to do. And a few miles away, there are kids struggling with something they didn’t deserve. As much money as we can raise, it’s amazing. I donate to St. Jude every year. It’s one of the charities I hold dear to my heart. I love helping kids get healthy, so they can grow up and be whatever they want to be. It’s cool how the Tour gets behind the cause.

You could say Harris English introduced himself to the golf world from Memphis. Keyed by three birdies and an eagle over the first five holes of the second round, English marched to his first PGA Tour victory at the 2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic. The former Georgia Bulldog broke par in all four rounds to edge Phil Mickelson for the $1.026 million winner’s check. English returns to Memphis this week, another Tour win under his belt (the OHL Classic at Mayakoba last November) and having climbed to eighth in the FedExCup standings.

As we near the anniversary of your first win on the Tour, what stands out from last year’s FESJC?

That was kind of my breakout on the PGA Tour. I’ve got a lot of good memories. I had a lot of high school friends who came out to cheer me on, and the city of Memphis has been a huge help since then, taking me under their wing. It’s such an awesome city and such an awesome tournament. I’m excited about getting back, defending my title, and seeing all the people who helped me get there.

At what point in the tournament did you feel like you had a decent chance to win?

I was playing in the last group on Saturday [as a leader], so I knew I’d put myself in a pretty good position after 36 holes. I felt like I was playing well all week. I feel like any time I’m putting well, I have a good chance. And I was feeling good with the putter. I came out Sunday one shot behind, and that was pretty comfortable for me, knowing I had to stay aggressive.

Among the holes on the TPC Southwind course, which stand out in your memory?

I had a few hiccups on 8 and 9 [in the fourth round]. I three-putted 9 from the front of the green for bogey, and I was pretty upset with myself. But my caddie said, ‘Look, we’ve got nine holes to go. We’re not out of this.’ Making that [birdie] putt on 17 was so huge. Having a two-shot lead going to 18 was so much better. Made my decision to hit a five-wood down the center of the fairway a lot easier.

Southwind is one of the best TPC courses we play all year. I really like the back nine, especially the stretch from 14 to 18. The 15th is one of my favorite par-4s; you have to be so accurate off the tee.

You had an interesting final round, with six birdies and five bogeys.

I didn’t let the bogeys affect me. And that’s tough in the final round; a lot more pressure. I feel like I did a good job not letting the bogeys get in my head and change my game plan. I stayed aggressive. I didn’t do anything stupid, but I didn’t play safe either. I played for the win.

What element of your game are you working on most these days?

I’m always working on my short game, from 100 yards in. I feel like I’ve been struggling with this the last couple of months. You can never be good enough [with your short game]. It’s an area where I can really set myself apart.

And what’s a strength in your game today?

I feel comfortable with my irons. I hit a lot of greens in regulation, to give myself chances at birdies.

You grew up a fan of Davis Love III and Fred Couples. What drew you to them in particular?

I grew up taking lessons at Sea Island [in Georgia]. I’d see Davis practicing there, and I always idolized his game, and the way he carried himself on the golf course. Freddie was the same. You didn’t really know if they were playing well or not. That’s what my mom taught me, and I tried to emulate them. I get just as mad inside as everyone else, but I try not to show it.

Playing the Masters for the first time had to be special, particularly being a Georgia native.

It was an awesome experience. I played there five or six times before I turned pro. I obviously didn’t play as well as I wanted to [English missed the cut], but I’m looking forward to getting back next year and giving it another shot.

You’ve stepped forward to help raise funds for St. Jude. What are your impressions of the hospital and its connection with the local tournament?

I took a tour of St. Jude for the first time a couple of months ago and was amazed at how well-run the organization is. It’s such a happy place. It’s so fulfilling, being on the PGA Tour and being able to give back, to help the kids who are really struggling. I’m doing something I love, and those kids need our help. It gives golf fans something extra to pull for.