GOLF
English struggles, but takes a win
SAN DIEGO -- Harris English held off hard-charging Sam Stevens to win the Farmers Insurance Open by one shot Saturday, securing his fifth career PGA Tour victory with a 1-over 73 in challenging weather at Torrey Pines.
English finished his first tour win since 2021 at 8-under 280. Stevens began the day six shots off the lead, but surged into contention with a 4-under 68 for the best final round in this edition of a tournament with a tradition of furious final-day rallies.
His impressive number didn't rattle the 35-year-old English, who made two early bogeys in a round that began in strong wind. English steadied his game and calmly finished with 12 consecutive pars.
English was businesslike to the end: He put his tee shot on the 18th into the rough, but got back into the fairway before putting his 115-yard approach shot squarely on the green. He two-putted for the victory, rolling his 25-footer to 7 inches for a tap-in and a subdued celebration.
Andrew Novak was third at 6 under, missing out on his first tour victory with a disappointing 74 after briefly taking the lead.
Sungjae Im and Kris Ventura tied for fourth at 5-under.
Former University of Arkansas golfer Taylor Moore struggled on Saturday, posting an 8-over 80 and falling from 25th to 57th place. He finished the tournament at 6-over 294.
English hadn't won since surviving an eight-hole playoff with Kramer Hickok at the Travelers Championships in 2021, although he still had nine top-10 finishes in the previous two seasons after missing five months in early 2022 while recovering from hip surgery. English already had a strong history at Torrey Pines, where he lost a four-way playoff to Jason Day in 2015 and then finished third at the U.S. Open in 2021.
Harris English hits out of the bunker on the first hole on the South Course at Torrey Pines during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Andrew Novak lines up a putt on the first hole on the South Course at Torrey Pines during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Lanto Griffin hits his tee shot on the second hole on the South Course at Torrey Pines during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Ricky Castillo hits his tee shot on the second hole on the South Course at Torrey Pines during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)