Phil Mickelson has 39 wins on the PGA Tour, ranking an impressive 10th on the all-time list, and 2nd as it stands relative to active members (Tiger Woods leads that one with 71 wins, 3rd all-time). There are a lot of great under-30 American players out there right now that I see reaching the ten win mark (Dustin Johnson, Keegan Bradley, and Rickie Fowler), but who will be the next superstar, the next regular multiple winner season after season, and one who breaks through the twenty win threshold? The answer is twenty-two year old, Harris English.
Not many out there – other than the avid follower of the game – will be that familiar with Harris English. He only turned professional back in September, but has excellent pedigree, being a member of the 2011 Walker Cup side. That by itself illustrates he’s a good player, but what suggests he has the ability to dominate in years to come? Well, let’s take a look at some data, as well as some Mickelson similarities.
Like Phil, Harris English stands an impressive 6ft 3′ and consistently drills the ball more than 300 yards off the tee. He’s not left handed (although for those of you interested in some useless trivia, Phil is naturally right handed), but just like Mickelson, Harris captured his first professional tournament win while still an amateur. He won this year’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Classic in Columbus Ohio back in July, calmly rolling in a 10-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to land a stunning one stroke victory. It took me back to 1991 when Mickelson won the Northern Telecom Open on the PGA circuit as an amateur, also stroking home a final hole birdie putt with phenomenal composure, to claim a single shot win over Tom Purtzer and Bob Tway.
It was the way Harris English captured his win that had the hairs on my arms jumping to attention like an army regiment. That final putt, knowing what it was for, knowing you’re an amateur player, but having the poise to get over the ball and bury it dead center like you were claiming a $2 skin from a buddy at the local club was sensational. I knew I was witnessing a special talent from a mental viewpoint, and a player who would be regularly gracing our TV screens in the future, particularly on Sunday afternoons.
English did not do enough on the Nationwide Tour to automatically claim his 2012 PGA card; not surprising considering he only played in seven events (officially seven events, but only five of those were as a professional and eligible to pocket any cash). Yes, for his impressive victory he didn’t receive a penny, with second place in the event, Kyle Reifers, being the grateful beneficiary of the $144,000 first prize. From the five paying events, Harris finished in 65th place on the money list, with only the top-25 making the PGA Tour. For all seven events he participated in he had his win, finished 2nd at the WNB Golf Classic in Texas (beaten in a playoff by the fantastic prospect from New Zealand, Danny Lee), a 3rd place at the Miccosukee Championship in Miami, as well as a tie for 18th at the Stadion Athens Classic back in May. Those are some tremendous numbers for someone just appearing on the professional scene.
Now, let’s create the scenario where Harris was eligible to collect the money for all seven events he participated in. It would have equated to almost $242K in prize money, putting him in 13th place on the Nationwide order of merit and easily earning a PGA Tour card for 2012, just from those outings. Of the twenty-five players graduating to the big tour, they averaged 21 events for the year. If we extrapolate out and predict what Harris English would’ve accomplished over that many events, he would’ve won the money title by a country mile ($725K earnings and a gap of over $300K from 2nd place). I know projections assume the same level of play over the course of the season in this case, but even if his play had deteriorated slightly, it’s hard to see why he still wouldn’t have finished top of the pile. The numbers may not be completely accurate, but give a decent indication of the level of talent I am talking about.
English is currently in the thick of battle at the PGA Tour School final qualifying stage. There are two rounds to go, 25 cards up for grabs, and Harris lies in a tie for 3rd spot. I have no doubt he has the self-control to deal with the high-level pressure of the final rounds and claim his position on the 2012 circuit.
He is a truly special talent, will win on 2012 PGA Tour, will go on to land more than 20 victories, and his first major victory will be The Masters. He’s a product of the University of Georgia and was born and bred in the state, so Augusta just seems appropriate, following in Phil Mickelson’s footsteps again.