Harris English didn’t win a PGA Tour event in 2020 but with the COVID-created larger field at this year’s Tournament of Champions, he not only playing well, he’s in position to start 2021 with a victory at Kapalua.
Day two at the Plantation course was a birdie-fest. Eight players shot rounds of seven-under par or better as the winds weren’t anything to worry about and the course is in perfect condition.
English has just one bogey in 36 holes and was bogey-free on Friday, on his way to a six-under par round of 67 that got him to 14-under par, good for a two-shot lead going into the weekend. But with the array of talent chasing him, he’ll have to continue going low to win on Sunday.
You better be in double-digits after 36 to contend, here’s how they’re lined up heading into the weekend:
14-Under Par (132):
Harris English (65-67): All by himself. A non-winner last year but his form at year’s end was superb. He’s got a good shot.
12-Under Par (134):
Justin Thomas (65-69): J.T. shared the first round lead but on Friday, his putter was a bit balky. Also he was bitten again at the 13th hole where he once again drove it in the native grasses. It was red-staked so he dropped and made bogey. Rough final nine for J.T. but he’s still right there. Missed too many fairways in the second round.
Collin Morikawa (69-65): The PGA champion is finding his form, one of three players to shoot eight-under on day two and he even had a three-putt bogey that had him steaming a bit.
Daniel Berger (69-65): Another member of Friday’s “65 Club.” Look for him to stay in the battle.
Ryan Palmer (67-67): This guy is nothing but steady.
11-Under Par (135):
Xander Schauffele (69-66): The X-man will be a factor come Sunday.
Patrick Reed (67-68): Everyone’s favorite golfer will be a factor come Sunday.
Brendon Todd (68-67): Hey Bryson, it’s not all about distance!
Sungjae Im (67-68): This guy probably dreams about golf every night.
10-Under Par (136):
Dustin Johnson (71-65): Uh oh. The world’s No. 1 still says he’s not making any putts to speak of but did start hitting his wedges closer. If his putter heats up, he’ll go flying by everyone over the final 36 holes. He’s that good.
Bryson DeChambeau (69-67): Golf-ball-crushing, rules-arguing, protein-shake-chugging, green-book studying, distance-obsessed Bryson would be ahead by five if was obsessed with putting the way he craves more ball speed off the driver. Missed a bunch of putts on Friday, otherwise, he’d be closer to English.
Scottie Scheffler (70-66): The newly-wed will need to pick up the pace to get his first win on Sunday.
Joaquin Niemann (69-67): Trying his best to be the best player on Tour under 25.
Carlos Ortiz (69-67): Off to a great start.
Patrick Cantlay (68-68): Love it, he was one of a number of players who dropped an “F-Bomb” that the mics picked up. Cantlay and the rest at 10-under have two rounds to make up ground.
A told there are 14 players within four shots of English heading to the final 36. Lots of accomplished stars chasing him. Should be an incredible weekend as the Trade Winds aren’t supposed to kick up the way they did for the practice rounds.
Whoever has the hottest putter will step up and win on Sunday.
