Harris English Wins Farmers Insurance Open To Claim First PGA Title In Almost Four Years
Harris English held off the challenges of Andrew Novak and Sam Stevens at Torrey Pines to claim his first PGA Tour title since the 2021 Travelers Championship
Harris English battled tough conditions to claim his fifth PGA Tour title and first since 2021 at the Farmers Insurance Open.
The 35-year-old headed into the final round at Torrey Pines at the summit of a congested leaderboard. However, the lead changed hands several times in the opening holes.
After English bogeyed the first, he was joined at the top of the leaderboard by South African Aldrich Potgieter, who made his first birdie of the day on the same hole. However, the youngster's hopes faded as the day progressed, with his troubles really starting with a double bogey at the third. He followed that up with six bogeys as he eventually finished T15.
While Potgieter struggled, there were plenty of others in contention, including Sam Stevens, who moved to within two of the lead after a birdie on the fourth. Andrew Novak was also firmly in the running and he joined English in a share of the lead after the fourth thanks to back-to-back birdies.
At that point English was still looking for his first birdie of the day, but it was his second bogey at the fifth that came next, a moment that was compounded when Novak produced a brilliant 55-foot birdie putt to move to nine-under and two up on English. Stevens then joined English at seven-under after a birdie further ahead on the ninth.
English then recovered on the sixth with his first - and only - birdie of the day, and he was back in a share of the lead at the seventh as his par putt followed a bogey by Novak. Sungjae Im then produced one of the best moments of the day with a brilliant birdie from the rough on the 10th to get within three of the lead.
Another bogey at the eighth for Novak gave English a one-shot lead, but on the ninth, he made amends to move back level with his fourth birdie. Novak's joy didn't last long with another bogey on the 10th as English made par - a theme he would continue throughout the rest of the round.
Andrew Novak challenged Harris English at the Farmers Insurance Open, but finished two shots adrift
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That's how things stayed for the next four holes, before another bogey, this time at the 15th, dropped Novak two behind English as his hopes of a maiden PGA Tour victory began to fade.
Further along, Stevens then put some pressure on the leader with a birdie on the 17th, but after an eventful 18th, where he found the water with his second shot and hit the flag with his fourth, Stevens settled for par to head to the clubhouse one behind English.
The leader, meanwhile, remained admirably consistent, and never really looked like relinquishing his advantage, although he gave Novak and Stevens hope with a wayward tee shot on the 18th. He recovered well, though, and eventually finished the final hole - a par-5 - with a tap in for his 12th successive par after Novak failed wtih a chip-in eagle attempt and subsequent birdie putt.
Afterwards, English revealed he had relished the testing conditions, saying: "I knew it was going to be a tough day today, I love that. I love this golf course when it plays really tough. I knew with the wind you're probably not going to get somebody that shoots a solid - Sam Stevens shot 4 under today, which is an incredible round, but you're not going to really see somebody coming up and throwing a 65, 66 out there today."
Despite a number of withdrawals pre-tournament, we have a thrilling finale in store and, with around 15 players inside five shots of leader, Harris English, as well as strong winds towards the end of the round at Torrey Pines, it really is wide open!
STRONG START FROM BRYAN
The leaders head out at 11.11am local time, so around 10 minutes from now and, in the early stages, Wesley Bryan has birdied the opening hole to get to five-under-par, four back of English. Along with Bryan, a number of players have made good starts in what should be an enthralling watch over the next few hours.
STEVENS MAKES A GREAT START
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It's been a great start from Sam Stevens, who has birdied the second and third to move to two-under for his round and five-under for the tournament. He's made every cut in 2025 and is out the traps well on the South Course.
LEADERS ARE OFF
The final group are off in San Diego and, on the first tee, English pulls his tee shot left of the fairway and into the rough. In terms of Novak, he carves his tee shot the other direction and into the right rough, whilst 20-year-old Potgieter, the youngest professional in the field, pounds his ball down the right side of the fairway. We are officially underway!
APPROACH SHOTS AT THE FIRST
Winds are gusting to 20mph already and the temperatures are below 60. This is going to be a fun watch as the players navigate this afternoon, certainly as English pushes his approach into the greenside bunker from 185-yards.
It's a completely different story for Potgieter, who sticks his approach from 145-yards to 13-feet, whist Novak is forced to chip back into the fairway following a poor tee shot. From there, the American finds the green with his third, albeit outside Potgieter's, but it is a chance to save par.
BIRDIE FOR POTGIETER
Perfect start for Potgieter, who makes just the eighth birdie of the day at the first! That was textbook from the South African, who draws level with English, who narrowly fails to get up-and-down from the greenside bunker as he makes a bogey. Along with English, Novak also bogeys the hole and, in 20 minutes, we've already seen a two shot swing.
POTGIETER FINDS THE FAIRWAY AT THE SECOND
It's been an excellent start for Potgieter, who looks fired up as he finds another fairway with his drive. Along with the South African, English finishes in the first cut to the left of the fairway, whilst Novak is safely on the short stuff, albeit slightly back of Potgieter.
ABERG'S STRUGGLES CONTINUE
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Ryder Cup star, Ludvig Aberg, had been leading through the first round but, since then, has struggled. The Swede has been battling flu all week and is currently two-over-par through four holes; he is sat at two-under and well back of the leaders.
Speaking of the leaders, they are playing the second, which is the shortest par 4 on the course but playing the hardest. In terms of scores, Potgieter makes a safe par, as does English, who just misses his birdie putt to the left, whilst Novak looks edgy and makes bogey. He starts bogey-bogey and is six-under, two back of the lead.
LEADERS WAITING ON THE PAR 3 THIRD
The par 3 third is the signature hole at Torrey Pines' South Course and, what's more, it's rated the hardest hole right now due to the wind, despite measuring just 138-yards.
Following the second, English, Novak and Potgieter are forced to wait on the tee as Matti Schmid, Joel Dahmen and K.H Lee are struggling around the green. The trio have just come off with three bogeys following three incredibly different ways of making them...
CARNAGE AT THE THIRD
They've been waiting on the third tee for 15 minutes but, eventually, the final group play into the green with some mixed results.
Up first is Potgieter, who ends up in the greenside bunker short of the green. It's a bad break for the South African, who is on the downslope and then thins it over the back edge and will have a tough up-and-down for bogey coming up.
In terms of English and Novak, English flies his shot over the hole and to 15-foot, whilst Novak puts his approach to five-feet. Potential birdies and two shot swings coming up again!
POTGIETER MAKES DOUBLE
All-in-all, that's not a bad double bogey for Potgieter, who found himself in trouble twice on the par 3 third. He lags his bogey putt from 50-feet to near gimme range and taps-in for a five to drop back to six-under.
In terms of his playing partners, English's birdie putt slides by the right side and Novak makes just the second birdie of the day at the third. Impressive play from the American there. In terms of English, he rolls in the par attempt from a few feet and stays one clear at eight-under.
LEFT OFF THE FOURTH
The 496-yard hole is playing straight downwind and first up is Novak, who finds the left side of the fairway and will have a nice look at the approach. In terms of English, he takes out the fairway wood and pulls it left into the rough, whilst Potgieter smashes his drive well up the hole, but also left.
Up ahead, Steven's incredible start continues, as he birdies the par 4 seventh and gets to six-under, just two back of the leaders. Can he mount a big charge on Saturday?
EXCELLENT FROM NOVAK
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After a shaky start, Novak plays a delightful approach into the fourth, with a great look for birdie coming up from around seven-feet.
It's even better news for the 29-year-old, as both English and Potgieter find the bunker short of the green and will have difficult up-and-downs coming up. However, leader English has played a lovely bunker shot, with Potgieter firing it over on to the back edge. They will have mid-range putts for par.
NOVAK MOVES INTO A SHARE OF THE LEAD
After his bunker shot, Potgieter just misses his par attempt on the right side and taps in for bogey. That's three shots lost in the last two holes following a double bogey-bogey run.
It's a complete contrast for Novak, who makes back-to-back birdies with a delightful gain at the fourth. He moves to eight-under and, after English rolls in his par putt, into a share of the lead with his fellow countryman
TORREY PINES IS PLAYING TOUGH
70 players on the course.4 players under par.52 players over par.Scoring average is 75.18 at Torrey Pines South @FarmersInsOpen. pic.twitter.com/a7bqPxfRuEJanuary 25, 2025
WHAT A PUTT FROM NOVAK
Wow! That is insane Andrew Novak! He puts his approach long and to the right side of the green and, from 55-feet, he plays his birdie attempt with around 25-feet of brake. Hitting the putt, downwind, his attempt drops in the centre of the cup with dead weight to get him to nine-under. That was incredible!
To make things sweeter, English just misses his par putt from 25-feet as he moves back to seven-under, whilst Potgieter also bogeys to go back to four-under. Huge shift at the fifth.
STEVENS BIRDIES THE NINTH
This is incredible from Stevens, who birdies the ninth hole following a stunning approach. He taps in for a birdie and, sitting at four-under for the day, he is three shots better than any other player on the course right now. Sat at seven-under, he is just two back of Novak.
CLASS FROM NOVAK
Insane putt from Novak! 😱Taking the lead in crazy fashion @FarmersInsOpen. pic.twitter.com/qJ8gWcvXsyJanuary 25, 2025
ENGLISH MOVES ONE BACK
All three in the final group are up near the par 5 sixth in two and, in terms of scoring, Novak is unable to get up-and-down as he taps in for a par to remain at nine-under.
Potgieter is the only player to hit the green in two in the group with an 8-iron but, following a poor first putt, he lips out for birdie, with a three-putt par keeping him four-under. The only player to make birdie is English, who played a delightful chip, with the American now eight-under, one back of Novak.
BIRDIES FROM DAHMEN AND GRIFFIN
Both Joel Dahmen and Lanto Griffin are still in contention and, at the seventh and eighth, the duo find birdies to get to five and six-under, just a few shots back of the leaders. Can they mount charges going into the back nine?
ENGLISH REGAINS SHARE OF THE LEAD
Both Novak and Potgieter are unable to make pars at the par 4 seventh, with both failing to get up-and-down. In terms of English, he safely finds the centre of the green with his second and lags his putt up to gimme range. He taps in for a par and, thanks to Novak's bogey, moves back into a share of the lead at eight-under.
SUNGJAE IM PITCHES IN
That's a beauty from Sungjae Im at the par 4 10th! Chopping out the rough with his second, the South Korean is left with 50 yards to the flag and, from the thick rough, he plays a delicate pitch that drops in for an unlikely birdie. He moves to five-under, just three back of the leaders, English and Novak.
IM'S BRILLIANCE
Here's a video of that moment of magic from Sungjae Im at the 10th. It means he remains firmly in contention, just three behind leader Harris English.
Bounce-back birdie 👏 Sungjae Im holes it from the rough @FarmersInsOpen. 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/tTSo8bieSZJanuary 25, 2025
HOPE FOR ENGLISH
Harris English led overnight, and he's now in the outright lead almost halfway through his final round. Can he get over the line? If he does, it'll be his first win on the PGA Tour since the 2021 Travelers Championship.
At the ninth, he's just got a decent lie despite finishing in the rough from his tee shot. His second shot is worse, though, as he's found a bunker...
PAIN FOR POTGIETER
It's not quite happening for young South African Aldrich Potgieter today. After a 67 that included a hole-out eagle on Friday, he's slipped five behind leader Harris English and Andrew Novak. At the ninth, he just rolled a longish putt for birdie narrowly wide. Immediately after, Sungjae Im, who is also in contention, did the same. Meanwhile, Sam Stevens has bogeyed the par-5 13th to leave him two off the leaders.
SLOW PLAY AT TORREY PINES
After a long final round of The American Express last week, we have a similar situation at Torrey Pines. It's now approaching three hours since the leaders teed off, and Harris English has just taken his tee shot at the 10th. It could be a long evening, and surely doesn't do much for the rhythm of those in contention.
BREATHING SPACE FOR THE LEADERS
In the last few minutes, a congested leaderboard has become slightly less so. Lanto Griffin is the latest to make a bogey, dropping him back to four under and four off leaders Andrew Novak and Harris English. They are now two ahead of Sam Stevens and Sungjae Im. Can either take advantage on the back nine?
BRILLIANT FROM BRADLEY!
Well, what a way to end the day for the Ryder Cup captain! Keegan Bradley has just holed an incredible eagle on the 18th from all of 60 feet to move him into the top 20 on the leaderboard. He's finished one-under for the tournament.
Keegan Bradley closes with a 60-footer for EAGLE! 🔥😳📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/0VRW8fbITvJanuary 25, 2025
ENGLISH AND NOVAK HOLD THEIR NERVE
A delicate little chip from English at the 11th came up about a foot short, but he's left with a tap-in. Novak, meanwhile, has a longer putt for par, but there are no signs of nerves as he pursues his maiden PGA Tour win as he confidently makes it. English maintains his one-shot lead over Novak. Sam Stevens and Sungjae Im are two off the lead.
STEVENS HANGING IN THERE
Behind English and Novak, the contenders are running out of holes. Sam Stevens - who is level at six under with Sungjae Im - made a clutch par putt at the 16th to remain in with a chance and two off the leader. He'll likely need to find something extra from here to trouble the leader though.
STEVENS STILL IN TOUCH
Sam Stevens does produce when needed! He's birdied the 17th to draw him level with Novak, one behind leader English.
Meanwhile, with his third at the 13th from the edge of the rough, Novak finds the vast green, but he's got some way to go to make his birdie. English is on the green in three.
From 45 yards, Novak's birdie putt comes up short. English, from 36 yards, places his right.
SHOCKER FOR STEVENS!
Just when he needed to find his best, Sam Stevens has suffered a shocker. His second shot at the 18th has found the water in front of the green. His effort looked OK as it reached the top of the bank, but agonizingly rolled back down. That could well do it for his chances.
Soon after, English makes his seventh par in a row at the 13th, which is followed by a similar result for Novak.
LAST-DITCH DRAMA FOR STEVENS
Sam Stevens' finale is nothing if not eventful. After finding the water with his second, his fourth hits the flag before spinning back out. He finishes with a par and heads back to the clubhouse one behind Harris English. It's not quite over for Stevens, but he's relying on a slip-up from the leader over the closing holes.
CLOSE, BUT NOT CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ENGLISH
It's not to be for English. His delicate putt goes left and he makes par at the 14th to maintain his one-shot lead. Novak then makes his par and we head to the 15th with the two still harbouring realistic hopes of victory.
ENGLISH TIGHTENS HIS GRIP
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Not for the first time today, Harris English has left himself short of the green, this time with his second on the par-4 15th. However, any thoughts Andrew Novak had of taking advantage are scuppered as his second shot goes left of the green.
Novak's third is not far off directionally, but there's too much pace on it and he faces a tricky par putt from 10 feet. Harris fares better and he has less than three feet to the hole.
Is this the crucial moment though? Novak misses left for bogey as English makes his par. That keeps him one ahead of Sam Stevens, who is in the clubhouse, as Novak falls two off the lead.
STEADY FROM ENGLISH
Harris English has been a model of consistency for much of today, and that looks like continuing at the 16th with a great chance of his 10th successive par to keep him at eight under with just two to play.
Sam Stevens is his nearest challenger at seven-under, but he's powerless as he's back in the clubhouse. Can Andrew Novak, at six-under, make a birdie at the 16th and put some pressure back on Harris? No. His long birdie putt is well short and facing an eight-foot putt for par, he makes it to remain two behind.
Harris then makes his short par putt and remains one ahead with two to play.
ENGLISH ONE HOLE FROM THE WIN
Both Novak and English find the fairway with their tee shots, and English is first to go, but he's way left of the flag to leave a tricky two-putt for par. Novak then comes up around 35 feet short. In the same group, meanwhile, Aldrich Potgieter, who had been firmly in contention for a maiden PGA Tour win at the start of the day, is now back in T24 after a disappointing round.
English is 55 feet from the hole with his birdie putt and gives it the necessary pace. It's a great effort too as it heads left but leaves him a foot for par. He duly makes it.
Novak, at two back, needs a birdie and misses left. He makes par too and English is one solid hole away from his fifth PGA Tour victory.
WAYWARD FROM ENGLISH FROM THE 18TH TEE!
On the par-5 18th, English has gone way left from his tee shot, but Novak finds the fairway. Maybe there's something in this for Novak yet?
ENGLISH STEADIES THE NERVES
It's steady from English as he plays his second shot back into the safety of the fairway. Next, Novak, from 232 yards, lands his second at the back of the green. He's not delighted with it, knowing he realistically needs at least a birdie - and likely an eagle - to force a playoff.
English is 122 yards from the hole with his third shot, and he clears the water to find the green and remain on track for at least a par. Novak needs a chip-in for eagle...
HARRIS ENGLISH WINS THE FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN!
From just off the back of the green, Novak's eagle attempt is good, but it goes right and is too strong to leave a far-from-unmissable putt for birdie. Next, English, chewing gum relentlessly, sizes a long birdie chance. He's one good outt away from his fifth PGA Tour title and first in nearly four years...
It's beautifully judged and just misses left to leave a tap-in par and win the Farmers Insurance Open.
Novak is next and narrowly misses left. He finishes six-under with a par. After Potgieter finishes with a birdie it's now down to English to complete the formalities from inches, which he does.
Harris English has won the Farmers Insurance Open!
ENGLISH REGAINS SOLO LEAD
It's just got even better for Harris English at the 10th. After both he and joint leader Andrew Novak found the back of the green with their second shots, English ultimately held his nerve for par, but a bogey for Novak drops him back to seven-under.
AS WE WERE AT THE TOP
Harris English has only found one fairway from a tee shot today, at the ninth, and he's failed again on the 12th. Despite that, he's still one ahead of Andrew Novak at the top of the leaderboard.
Novak makes the green in two, and he eyes a chance to rejoin English at the top of the leaderboard after his opponent makes do with an eight-iron back onto the fairway with his second.
Next, English, still with 73 yards to the hole, produces an excellent effort to give him a chance for par.
Novak's birdie putt isn't great, heading wide left and beyond English's marker. He makes his par, though, and that's followed by a par for English too.
We head to the 13th with English one ahead of Novak.
COSTLY MISS FOR IM
At the 15th, Sungjae Im has narrowly placed his par putt right to drop three behind English. Ahead of him is Sam Stevens on six-under, Andrew Novak on seven-under and English in the lead on eight-under. It's looking increasingly as though Novak and English will battle it out for the title. They're currently on the par-5 13th.
ADVANTAGE ENGLISH?
At the 14th, Harris English has left himself an excellent chance of a birdie after putting his second to within 12 feet of the hole on the par-4. It's not as promising for Novak though, whose second shot out of the rough comes up short of the green. Novak's third is decent, and he has about five feet for par.
We could be minutes away from English taking a two-shot lead with just four to play.
