(Reuters) – Harris English overcame a shaky start, then took advantage of a late collapse by fellow American Scott Stallings to clinch his maiden PGA Tour title with a two-shot victory at the St Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee yesterday.
The 23-year-old English birdied two of the last three holes at the TPC Southwind to close with a one-under-par 69, ending a roller-coaster final round where he and Stallings had duelled back and forth for the lead.
Stallings and four-times major champion Phil Mickelson tied for second, two strokes back.
A curling 17-foot birdie putt at the 17th put English two strokes clear and he safely parred the tricky final hole to post a 12-under total of 268 in the final PGA Tour event before next week’s U.S. Open.
“I was feeling very good with my ball-striking all week,” a beaming English told CBS Sports greenside after two-putting for par on the 18th green, then pumping his right fist in delight.