Former Georgia Bulldog Harris English plans to sit out the 2022 Masters due to a hip injury.
Former Georgia Bulldog Harris English plans to sit out the 2022 Masters due to a hip injury. English has not played since the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.
English, who earned two wins on the PGA Tour in 2021, finished 21st in the 2021 Masters. He notably finished third at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
April 8, 2021; Harris English and caddie Eric Larson on the 2nd fairway during the first round of The Masters golf tournament. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
The Valdosta, Georgia, native will have to look forward to other PGA Tour events in 2022. Though English is out, several other Georgia Bulldogs plan to participate in the 2022 Masters.
English shared he would be unable to play in the Masters due to his recent hip procedure via his Twitter account:
Regrettably, I will not be able to compete next week at The Masters. I'm progressing very well from recent hip surgery, but have to exercise caution as I return to play. I look forward to joining my friends and fellow competitors on the PGA Tour soon. pic.twitter.com/bRiidCC4EQ
“I’m progressing very well from recent hip surgery, but have to exercise caution as I return to play.”
On Valentine’s Day, Harris English underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his right hip. He hasn’t made a start on the PGA Tour since, a trend that will continue next week.
English has officially withdrawn from the Masters, saying he’s “progressing very well from recent hip surgery, but have to exercise caution as I return to play.”
The Georgia Bulldog tied for 21st at Augusta National last season, which stands as his best finish at the year’s first men’s major in three career appearances.
After a consistent campaign in 2021 that included a win at the Travelers Championship, English has made just four official starts this season with his best finish coming at the Sentry Tournament of Champions (T-30).
Regrettably, I will not be able to compete next week at The Masters. I'm progressing very well from recent hip surgery, but have to exercise caution as I return to play. I look forward to joining my friends and fellow competitors on the PGA Tour soon. pic.twitter.com/bRiidCC4EQ
“Normally, it’s a late tee time on Sunday. More so than the Champions Dinner. The late tee time just excites me.”
The Masters lights up the golf world every April, its spiritual setting warming hearts around the globe. Among the awakening are the players who take to the architectural gem framed by an explosion of colors. To the man, they love to talk about the unparalleled tournament between the Georgia Pines at Augusta National Golf Club.
The gathering every spring is matchless, from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt competition through the ceremony at Butler Cabin.
Ahead of the 86th Masters, Golfweek conducted its annual survey, this year getting takes on many things Masters from 25 players, nine of whom have won a green jacket, 12 major champions in all.
Today’s questions:
What was the experience like driving down Magnolia Lane for the first time?
“I was at the University of Georgia, a freshman. We played Augusta National once a year. We didn’t have cellphones back then. We had disposable cameras. As soon as we turned onto Magnolia Lane, it was click, click, click, click.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“It was 1959. Probably about two weeks before the tournament. Drove down with my friend, Robin Obetz, who was my best man in my wedding the next year. I didn’t know what Magnolia Lane was. It was pretty impressive to start with. We were pretty overwhelmed by it. I didn’t know you couldn’t bring guests onto the property. But Alec Osborne (a member) took care of everything. It was seamless. I still get shivers thinking about that first time. It was a thrill then and it’s a thrill now. What amazes me about Magnolia Lane more than anything is that the trees look exactly the same to me now as they did back in 1959.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus
“It was the week before my first Masters last year and I remember I had some Mexican music going on down Magnolia Lane. It was pretty cool.” – Abraham Ancer
“It was incredible. Way exceeded expectation. It’s crazy. It like golf Disney World.” – Matt Fitzpatrick
“It was great. You’re not supposed to have your phone out. But we did. I still remember it. Driving down Magnolia Lane never disappoints.” – Jason Day
“It was ’85. I was 19. And I was really impressed. When you get to the gate, you see all of the magnolia trees and the clubhouse at the very end with a yellow flag around the roundabout. Really impressive. Still is today.” – Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal
“It was crazy. It’s funny because it looks exactly like the pictures, which sounds stupid, but some things don’t live up to it and it did, and it was cool. It’s such an unassuming entrance. But it’s like, wow, this is Augusta National. You wait so long to do it. You almost overhype it, but you know, it was awesome.” – Max Homa
A view of the locked gates at the entrance of Magnolia Lane off Washington Road that leads to the clubhouse of Augusta National on March 30, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals has been postponed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“It was surreal. It was much shorter than I expected it to be. I was expecting it to meander for some time. But what unravels on the other side of the clubhouse is incredible.” – Justin Rose
“It was in 1970. Driving down Magnolia Lane was, you know, it was all that was hyped up to me. It was beautiful. And it still is exciting to drive down Magnolia Lane. You go down that dark, shadowy lane. Those magnolia trees have grown so, so big that it’s dark going through there, but you see the clubhouse, that white clubhouse at the end, and it’s quite a sight.” – Two-time Masters champion Tom Watson
“I was able to take dad to play before the ’05 Masters and when we drove down Magnolia Lane together it was so special. I’ll never forget it. Then playing the golf course, taking the pictures on the bridges, everything about that day was great. Then I got to play with my hero, Fred Couples, in a practice round in my first Masters that year, so it was a pretty great year.” – Ryan Palmer
“I still get goosebumps thinking about it. I get goosebumps every time I make that turn off Washington Road. There’s a lot more security than there used to be when I when I first drove down there, but the drive is still the same and I feel like a kid all over again making that drive.” – Matt Kuchar
“It was very surreal. It felt like I was in a dreamland. I drove 1 or 2 mph and the guards were looking at me and they didn’t blink because they knew exactly what was happening.” – Xander Schauffele
“It was October of 2013 and I didn’t have my phone out. I was like, ‘I just want to soak this in.’ I had gone the year before as a spectator on the Monday and knew right away it was my favorite course. But that first time on Magnolia Lane was pretty special. We actually played Pine Valley earlier in the day. Pretty good day.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth
“I was playing with the Wake Forest team, my junior year and like typical college kids, we were in the van. One of the guys in the van put in the Masters theme song and we drove down Magnolia Lane. It was the most college, most college guy thing ever, but it was awesome.” – Will Zalatoris
“It was a Saturday in 2014 before the Masters and it was just pretty cool. You sort of take it all in. I enjoy it more or appreciate it more now than I did then. Just for the fact that you know it’s just a special place and to be able to play there year in year out, to be on hollowed grounds and think about who’s played here and who’s driven down this road before, it’s pretty amazing.” – Billy Horschel
“Oh, wow. Very special. The funny thing is it’s no different, almost no different now. I guess it was more special that first time. But even now it is unbelievable and very special every time I drive down there.” – 1987 Masters champion Larry Mize
“Our college team got to go when I was at Vanderbilt. Just an unbelievable experience driving down Magnolia Lane, seeing the clubhouse through the little corridor and something just happens to you. It’s your first time and you really want to play well, and you start thinking about all the shots you want to hit and you kind of get stuck in the moment. I wanted to hit a great shot on 12, wanted to go for it on 13 and 15. It all starts on Magnolia Lane.” – Brandt Snedeker
“I was in high school, 2005 or 2006, and it was incredible. I’d been to a couple Masters before; that’s really the only tournament I’ve ever watched since I was 5 or 6. That’s kind of what got me into golf. And then I’m going down Magnolia Lane. It still gives you goosebumps even to this day, just the history of that place and the feeling you get that you’ve kind of made it.” – Harris English
“It was pretty special. It’s my favorite course in the world and it never gets old but driving in there for the first time I think you’re a bit taken aback by the security when you first pull in. And then you drive as slowly as you can.” – Graeme McDowell
“It was 1988. It was so cool and it’s still cool. It is something special. All the Magnolias, the azaleas. It gave me sort of some insight to what I wanted to do to my house.” – 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam
What is the one thing you look forward to the most about the Masters?
“In many ways it is the start of the golfing season. It certainly is the start of the major championship season. Even though I don’t play anymore, it’s fun to be there. It’s fun to go to the Masters dinner. I’m done with the Par 3, but toward the end of my career, I used to play every year. But I just can’t play anymore. And then there is the honor of hitting the opening tee shot alongside Gary Player. Now, with the addition of our good friend, Tom Watson, that will be nice. I enjoy seeing everybody. It’s like a reunion.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus
Honorary starter Gary Player greets Jack Nicklaus at the 1st tee during the first round of The Masters. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
“I just love the creativity you need to play that golf course. I love golf courses where you have many options around the greens.” – Abraham Ancer
“The atmosphere of the tournament., the roars, the buzz.” – Matt Fitzpatrick
“Ooh. There’s so much. Seeing all the locker room guys is great, they are always so grateful and happy to see us and we’re happy to see them. That vibe in the clubhouse I love.” – Justin Rose
“It’s hard to pick one. I’ll give you two. The Champions Dinner. I look forward to the stories from the past champions. And the Par-3 Contest with the little ones. I still have a picture to this day of being on the first tee and Mr. Player was in the group in front and he’s on the practice green doing magic tricks with (daughter) Windsor Wells. It doesn’t get any better than that.” – 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed
“The opportunity to contend. Having a chance to win the green jacket on Sunday afternoon is as good a feeling as anything in golf.” – Marc Leishman
“I think it’s the fans. For some reason the fans are so knowledgeable and courteous. It feels like you have gone back in time. And those roars are something else.” – Matt Kuchar
“I think it’s just being on the golf course. I think it’s just walking those fairways. It’s my favorite course in the world. It’s very hard to have the perfect golf course, and to me, Augusta approaches perfection.” – Graeme McDowell
“The thrill of competition. Being in contention on Sunday, there’s just no other place like it with the roars and the crowds. The biggest challenge is how you are going to handle your emotions.” – Xander Schauffele
“Normally, it’s a late tee time on Sunday. More so than the Champions Dinner. The late tee time just excites me.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth
“I get to play on Sunday’s because I’m a past champion. I remember my wife asked me after I won if I could bring a guest on Sunday. It was like a year away. Playing with my wife at Augusta National is very special. And who doesn’t look forward to putting on the green jacket when you go and sit at your locker.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“I think it’s just the buzz. I mean, there’s a million things that make it great. I mean, I’m sure some guys have probably even mentioned the food and going around Amen Corner and skipping balls on 16. But I think it’s just, when you get there and you hop out of the car in the player lot, the buzz just hits you. There’s nothing like it.” – Will Zalatoris
“There are so many things. But the Par 3 tournament is one big deal. Just the whole experience of being there is amazing. You can talk about the sandwiches, you can talk about skipping the ball at 16, you can talk about whatever. And seeing all the past champions. Everything’s cool.” – Kevin Na
Kevin Na’s daughter, Sophia Ria, is seen during the Par 3 Contest for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Augusta National/The Masters)
“Probably just seeing all the friends and family that I’ve grown up with. I did the experience from outside the ropes growing up there, and now being on the inside is special.” – Kevin Kisner
“I just really enjoy playing the course. The stretch from No. 12 through No. 16 is incredible every single time I play it. That’s my favorite stretch of any golf course. And there’s so much more. You get to know the locker room staff, the food’s incredible, the people are so nice. They’ll literally do anything for you. And it’s cool for me to have a lot of family and friends come in to town. It’s such a great week, I hope I get to play in 10, 15 more.” – Harris English
Webb Simpson has withdrawn from the 2022 WM Phoenix Open. He’s a past champion of the event, winning two years ago in 2020.
The Players champion’s last start on the PGA Tour came at the Sony Open where he tied for 61st.
Replacing him in the field is Hayden Buckley, who made the cut at last week’s AT& Pebble Beach Pro-Am, ending the week T-49.
Earlier Wednesday, U.S. Ryder Cupper Harris English also withdrew from the WMPO field and was replaced by Cameron Young.
As it stands right now, Simpson will be teeing it up at Riviera next week for the Genesis Invitational. His last appearance there came in 2017 where he tied for 39th.
Bandon Dunes, Jon Rahm at Torrey, and the Travelers Championship: This is my year in golf.
A year ago, as I sat down to write about my year in golf, the image of a bedsheet hanging off a deck at TPC River Highlands popped into my head.
It had been painted with the words “Hope, Love, Golf” during the Travelers Championship, the third PGA Tour event held after the re-start of the 2020 season. At that point, 18 million people in the United States had been infected with the coronavirus and 320,000 had died. As I type this, the Omicron variant has gained a hold, the Delta variant is still everywhere, holiday plans are being changed and it looks like we are in for another winter of wearing masks, encouraging people to get vaccinated (and boosted), and dreaming this will all go away. More than 50 million Americans have been infected, and 800,000 have died during this pandemic.
I achieved my goal of at least hitting balls outside every month of the year, which as a New Englander, is not easy. I made it back to Bandon Dunes and played The Sheep Ranch, got in another round at Winged Foot, walked behind Jensen Castle at Westchester Country Club as she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and was thrilled to see my wife take up the game.
David Dusek at Bandon Dune’s Sheep Ranch. “You want me to hit it where?”
It would be tempting to say that the best event I saw in person in 2021 was the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines South. Quibble all you like about the course, but as a venue, Torrey Pines is spectacular, and seeing Jon Rahm make sensational birdie putts on Sunday to defeat Louis Oosthuizen down the stretch, then kiss his 2½-month old son, Kepa, on Father’s Day when he realized he’d won was perfect.
But the next week, back at TPC River Highlands, was even better.
On a Sunday when Kevin Kisner shot 63, Marc Leishman signed for a 64 that put him into the lead at 12 under, Harris English and Kramer Hickok wound up tied at 13 under. As the late afternoon turned into a beautiful summer evening, they played the 18th hole, then played it again and again and again. Hickok arrived in Cromwell, Connecticut, as an unknown, but that evening the crowd ringing the 18th green was cheering his name, doing the wave and “staying hydrated” with local microbrews.
English won on the eighth playoff hole, but what made the scene even more special than the longevity of the playoff was Hickok’s reaction afterward. His parents had flown in from Texas, his wife, Anne, was there, too, and she’d brought Elvis, the couple’s black labrador retriever puppy.
After Elvis stole the show during Hickok’s post-round interview, the family was gathered near the clubhouse, nearly speechless and taking in the day. Duty called, and I chatted with Kramer about the experience. Then his wife approached and asked if I would take a few pictures of everyone. Seeing everyone’s pride in Kramer’s effort, his sportsmanship, and his genuine joy in nearly achieving his dream was inspiring.
The world would be a better place if we all had an attitude like Hickok’s. After giving his all and coming up short, even though he was tired, he didn’t complain or hang his head. He took joy in trying his best and surrounded himself with people who support and love him.
I’m thankful golf reminded me that’s what it’s all about.
Na and Kokrak rode a hot putter all the way to the QBE title.
The QBE Shootout has been a mainstay as part of professional golf’s silly season, and Kevin Na’s performance in the final round was just plain silly, indeed.
The five-time winner on the PGA Tour made seven consecutive birdies himself to help he and teammate Jason Kokrak shoot up the leaderboard Sunday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, and ultimately claim the title at 33 under. Na walked in putt after putt as the team made birdie on Nos. 6-14 and then again from Nos. 16-18 en route to an impressive 12-under 60.
Na claimed the Sony Open in Hawaii back in January while Kokrak picked up two wins on Tour in 2021, first at the Charles Schwab Challenge in May and most recently at the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open in November.
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Recent QBE Shootout champions include Harris English and Matt Kuchar (2020), Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Tway (2019) and Brian Harman and Patton Kizzire (2018).
“We’re still 18 holes away from lifting the trophy, so got to stay on top of it.”
NAPLES, Fla. — Marc Leishman just hit repeat, and Leishman and Jason Day repeated holding on to the lead.
Leishman made his third hole-out eagle in two days, and fifth hole-out in two years in the QBE Shootout, and the two Australians built a three-stroke lead after the modified alternate shot in the second round at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort on Saturday.
“I was between lob wedge and sand wedge,” said Leishman, who was 96 yards out. “Just ripped a lob wedge a bit lower and felt like I could land it a bit past it and maybe zip it back and give Jase a chance, because he hadn’t really putted up until then except on the first hole.
“It’s funny, the ones you hole are the ones you don’t expect to go in. I wasn’t expecting it to go in and then all of a sudden it disappears. It’s nice. Something about this place that I’ve made a few shots the last couple years and hopefully we can keep that trend going.”
Jason Day tees off on the 9th hole during the QBE Shootout at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Saturday, Dec.11, 2021. (Photo/Chris Tilley)
Defending champions Harris English and Matt Kuchar, who have won three times in six appearances in the Shootout, had taken the lead, but the eagle put Leishman and Day back in front and they never stopped after that, shooting an 8-under 64 that included birdies on three of the last four holes.
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“‘Leish’ once again holing out on 7, amazing,” Day said. “In that kind of format it’s nice to have eagles, it moves the needle a long way, especially when you’re playing that way.”
English and Kuchar, Sam Burns and Billy Horschel, and Jason Kokrak and Kevin Na are all tied for second at 21 under, three behind. Graeme McDowell and Corey Conners got an eagle from Conners on the 17th to move into fifth, another stroke back.
Matt Kuchar of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club on December 11, 2021 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
English and Kuchar had a six-hole stretch of pars on the front before English ended that, and then were making a move on the back nine when English ran a long eagle putt on No. 17 a few feet by, and Kuchar stepped up and missed it. They also parred the reachable par-4 13th.
“I think a little just — what would you call it? — nonchalant’d it, just kind of didn’t focus like normal,” Kuchar said. “It was just a three-footer uphill and that was odd. I’ve been so pleased with my putting and part of golf, happens to everybody.”
“Alternate shot’s always tough,” English said. “‘Kuch’ missed a couple holes not putting and you give him a six- or seven-footer, it’s tough. Having a round with no bogeys is always good. We played some solid golf, it’s just one of those days we didn’t get a whole lot of putts to fall, but it happens.”
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LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson are in sixth at 19 under.
The 12 two-person teams play better ball Sunday in the final of the three formats. Golf Channel has coverage from noon to 2 p.m. ET, followed by NBC from 2 to 4 p.m. ET.
The three-stroke lead is a nice cushion, but Leishman and Day expect to have plenty of work to do in the final round.
“I think there’s a good chance that before we even tee off we won’t be leading,” said Leishman, who played with fellow Australian Cameron Smith last year and finished eighth. “I think when you saw some of the scores today, Billy and Sam shot 10 under? That’s unbelievable in foursomes, or modified foursomes given that. I think we’re going to have to play good, make putts.”
“We’ve just got to focus,” said Day who won the Shootout in his last appearance, with Cameron Tringale in 2014 by a stroke over Kuchar and English. “We’re still 18 holes away from lifting the trophy, so got to stay on top of it.”
Leishman couldn’t help but give a little good-natured challenge to his partner for Sunday.
“We’ve just got to both have chances and then hope we can make some putts, and maybe Jase can make a wedge shot tomorrow, we’ll see,” Leishman said.
“That would be nice, but I’m counting on him,” Day said.
Greg Hardwig is a sports reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @NDN_Ghardwig, email him at ghardwig@naplesnews.com. Support local journalism with this special subscription offer at https://cm.naplesnews.com/specialoffer/
Despite 12 birdies and two eagles, the Aussie pair holds just a one-shot lead.
There are usually a few eagles in the scramble format of the QBE Shootout.
But not usually the way Marc Leishman made two of them to help Leishman and playing partner Jason Day shoot a 16-under 56 and take the first-round lead Friday.
Leishman holed out from in front of the green on No. 6, then holed out a pitch shot on No. 10, so neither of the par-5, hit it on in two and make the putt variety.
“The one on 6 I had a pretty good read off Jase,” Leishman said. “It was a very straightforward chip, but obviously it still takes a little bit of luck for it to actually go in the hole. And then the one on 10, the guys all hitting in front of me, it was on a little knoll I guess you’ll call it. Jase was in there about 10 feet and had a chance to just go straight at it and went straight at it.”
“He landed it absolutely perfect, nice flight, just beautiful, just spun it a little bit and rolled in,” Day said of the eagle on No. 10.
Jason Day and Marc Leishman look on from the third tee during the first round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club on December 10, 2021 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Leishman and Day made 12 birdies, but the 16-under wasn’t enough to create much distance, especially from the defending champions.
Harris English and Matt Kuchar, and Corey Conners, and Graeme McDowell are both just one back. Lexi Thompson and Bubba Watson, and Jason Kokrak and Kevin Na are tied for fourth, three behind going into Saturday’s modified alternate shot format.
Matt Kuchar and Harris English walk on the second green during the first round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club on December 10, 2021 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
“Felt like last year all over again,” said Kuchar, who has won three times with English. “This place, I think it’s special to both Harris and I. Nice to get off to a good start.”
“Played really solid, gave ourselves a lot of chances,” English said. “Didn’t have any eagles today, we were close, but it’s all about making putts. Matt made a couple good 20-, 25-footers and that’s what keeps the round going, that’s what keeps the momentum going.”
English and Kuchar were 7 under after the front nine, then birdied all but No. 12 on the back nine.
“We tend to play the back nine really well here, got off to a good start on 10 and kept it rolling,” English said. “Keep giving ourselves chances and keep seeing those putts go in.”
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McDowell and Conners capped their round with four birdies and an eagle before parring the 18th.
“Corey drove the ball fantastic,” McDowell said. “The hardest thing I had to do was try to keep in my rhythm when I followed him down the fairway, he drove it so well. It’s always important just to get two looks the best you can. I just felt like we ham-and-egged well.”
Almost as well as the three-time champions, but not quite. The only round in the six previous appearances Kuchar and English have had where they stumbled was the modified alternate shot in 2017, when they shot an even-par 72, then finished tied for 10th.
“It’s the most challenging of all the formats,” Kuchar said. “It’s the one that kind of separates the teams that really have it going and teams that don’t have it going. I think you look forward to seeing what happens after the second round.”
Marc Leishman tees off during the QBE Shootout on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021 at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla. Caitlyn Jordan/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network
Leishman and Day do have some experience in these formats. They were partners for three matches in the 2017 Presidents Cup, although they went 0-2-1. They halved with Phil Mickelson and Kevin Kisner in foursomes, and then lost to them in fourball and also lost to Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed in the second foursomes.
“‘Leish’ is good in a team environment,” Day said. “Obviously him and Cammy Smith at the Zurich, obviously here, so it’s just, obviously it’s an individual sport. But I think he thrives really well in a team environment, so it’s nice to be able to have someone like that as a partner this week.”
Greg Hardwig is a sports reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @NDN_Ghardwig, email him at ghardwig@naplesnews.com. Support local journalism with this special subscription offer at https://cm.naplesnews.com/specialoffer/
“I feel like we complement each other really well. We both are really good putters.”
Can Harris English and Matt Kuchar be beaten at the QBE Shootout?
That’s been the question that hasn’t been answered by another pair in the PGA Tour team event very frequently over the years at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.
The pairing, which happened when English substituted for Brandt Snedeker who had to withdraw because of an injury in 2013, has won three times, including by a whopping nine strokes last year in Greg Norman’s tournament. They won by seven in their first year together in 2013, and took first again in 2016.
Eleven other teams will take a swing at them beginning Friday with the scramble in the first round.
Harris English takes a swing during the QBE Shootout Pro-Am on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla. (Photo: Caitlyn Jordan)
“Oh yeah, why not?” said Kevin Na, whose playing with Jason Kokrak, of knocking them off. “I think my team’s better than their team.”
“The way the format is anyone can get hot,” Graeme McDowell said.
“Yeah, they haven’t won every year,” Billy Horschel said.
While the players in each team frequently do end up matching up well because of balancing one player’s strengths with another’s weakness, and teaming up in the right part, Kuchar and English are doing it at a higher level.
“Matt is always down the middle of the fairway and then Harris is an unbelievable ball-striker and he’s developed into a really good putter over the years,” said Jason Day, who won the Shootout a few years ago. “Matt, he’s always been a rock-solid player.”
“They just have a really close relationship,” said Brandt Snedeker, another former Shootout champion. “Matt’s strengths go well with Harris’ strengths. Obviously, the chemistry’s there, and that’s the big thing with this event. If you have the right partner, yo don’t worry when you hit a bad shot, you know they’ve got your back.”
They finished well back in 2017, tying for 10th after a poor round in the middle round, the modified alternate shot. Their other finishes besides the wins are seconds in 2014 and 2015. They didn’t play in 2018 or 2019.
Matt Kuchar putts during the QBE Shootout Pro-Am on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla. (Photo: Caitlyn Jordan)
So they’re 3-for-6 with two seconds.
“Harris and I have just had a great run and really been fun,” Kuchar said. “Every year I look forward to getting another chance to play with him. So excited to see him bust out with a great year, be on the Ryder Cup team, do some really special things this year.
“It’s been fun to see kind of the evolution of his career and still be able to kind of play alongside him in this event.”
English had a couple of wins this year in addition to the Ryder Cup appearance, and also got to play in Tiger Woods’ Bahamas tournament last week.
“I would like to say it started here,” English said. “We played great here, I think we won by nine shots last year and you can take a lot of that momentum. I feel I was playing great golf going into Maui last year and ended up winning the tournament. You’re always working on things and you can use great weeks like this to work on your game and kind of jump start your 2022.”
Matt Kuchar and Harris English winners of the QBE Shootout at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, on Dec. 13, 2020. Chris Tilley/Naples Daily News via USA TODAY Network
English’s length, Kuchar’s accuracy and putting, and English’s development in both have just made the combination work better and better.
“I feel like we complement each other really well,” English said. “We both are really good putters; Matt’s one of the best putters I’ve ever played with and we just seem to hole a lot of putts around this place. He’s obviously a really straight driver, really consistent. I hit it a little further than him so we kind of play off each other. I try to give it a rip on some par 5s and we just stay in a lot of holes.”
Kuchar quipped why the two haven’t played together in the PGA Tour’s relatively new team event, the Zurich Championship in New Orleans.
“That may be the better question,” Kuchar said. “We’re still working on making that work out at some point.
“It’s been a whole lot of fun playing with Harris. I get to see parts of the course I’m not used to seeing, hitting irons I’m not used to hitting into greens and it’s been a great match-up and a great formula.”
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English first met Kuchar in 2012 at The Players Championship when he was contending in the third round. English, a rookie, had an inauspicious start, hitting someone with his tee shot on the first hole. The person ended up being OK.
“The guy was okay thankfully, but one of those things as a player, it’s a hard thing to recover from,” Kuchar said. “So I may have had some words of advice on kind of trying to move on. And it’s always a tough situation.”
Kuchar won the Shootout last year with his son Cameron on the bag, and the pair are back together again this year.
“Cameron’s been asking for years and years to caddie and I think he’s always thought he’s bigger than maybe he has been,” Kuchar said “Now he is truly really big and able to caddie with no problem. Cameron’s just a lover of golf and doing well himself with the game.”
Greg Hardwig is a sports reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @NDN_Ghardwig, email him at ghardwig@naplesnews.com. Support local journalism with this special subscription offer at https://cm.naplesnews.com/specialoffer/
Let’s play some team golf. The QBE Shootout is the last PGA Tour tournament on the schedule for the remainder of 2021, so we won’t see the guys again until Hawaii.
Last season, Matt Kuchar and Harris English broke their own scoring record in the unofficial event, a mark they originally set back in 2013, finishing at 37 under in the three-round event. They will partner again this time around with hopes to win the QBE for the fourth time.
Tiburon Golf Club
Par 72
7,382 yards
Bermuda grass greens
Greg Norman design
Weather
Day
Conditions
Percent chance of rain
Wind & Direction
Tuesday
Sunny
3 percent
8 MPH (NW)
Wednesday
Sunny
10 percent
10 MPH (S)
Thursday
Mostly Sunny
9 percent
8 MPH (S)
Friday
Partly Cloudy
9 percent
8 MPH (SSE)
Saturday
Sunny
9 percent
10 MPH (SSE)
Sunday
Partly Cloudy
20 percent
11 MPH (W)
Format
Friday: Scramble
Both players hit tee shots, the team then decides which drive is better, then both play from that position. That process is repeated until the team finishes the hole.
Saturday: Alternate shot
One player will tee off, the other will hit their second, and the alternation will repeat until the team finishes the hole. However, it’s determined before the round which player will tee off on even holes, and which will tee off on odd holes.
Sunday: Best ball
Each player will play the hole normally, and the team will take the best score.
Twilight 9
Listen to this week’s episode of Twilight 9 where Andy and I discuss the Hero World Challenge, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Tiger Woods grinding on the range, the QBE Shootout, and more.
Despite his best effort to ruin my plan last week, Collin Morikawa finished inside the top 5 and cashed +130. However, my guy, Rory McIlroy borderline finished last. So, for the week, we were up .3 units in the Bahamas. Let’s see what we can do in Naples.
Sam Burns and Billy Horschel to win (+380)
Billy Horschel and Sam Burns walk to the 10th green during the first round of the 2021 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. (Photo: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)
There’s a reason why these guys are the betting favorite. Horschel has been in decent form, but Burns, he’s been on a different level. His finishes this season: 1, T-14, T-5, T-7, T-3.
Max Homa and Kevin Kisner to win (+750)
Kevin Kisner putts as Max Homa looks on from the 18th green during the continuation of play before the third round of the BMW Championship. (Photo: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports)
This is going to be the most enjoyable pair to watch on TV over the weekend. They’re going to go out there and have a good time, and I think that will translate into a solid result. Kisner hasn’t had his best stuff so far this season, but his partner already has a win (Fortinet Championship).
Jason Kokrak and Kevin Na to win (+550)
Jason Kokrak (L) and Kevin Na (R) walk to the 10th green during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course) on February 11, 2016 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
Last time Kokrak teed it up, he won. Na hasn’t played much this season, with a missed cut at the Fortinet Championship and a T-49 at the CJ Cup. However, he was one of the runner-ups last season when he played with Sean O’Hair.
