Monday, January 27th, 2025 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition
Harris English embraces ‘grind’ at Torrey Pines in gritty Farmers Insurance Open win
– by Josh Shrock / GOLF
Per Josh: “Harris English has knocked on the door at Torrey Pines before…”
B&B POV: Harris English is not a PGA Tour star even though he’s competing in his 14th season. But he isn’t a journeyman either. He lives somewhere in the upside down – the tour’s success abyss. He’ll likely never be a star of Netflix’s Full Swing, lacking swagger and rizz. But on Saturday, at Torrey, in US Open-tough conditions, he bested the average field by one shot, closing with a one-over-par 73. PGA TOUR victory number five for the humble man from GA.
Here are the inside details of how the Genesis Invitational is making a ‘Herculean’ move to Torrey Pines
– by Tod Leonard / Golf Digest
Per Tod: “There are at least 60 people from the City of San Diego’s staff who work on staging the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at the municipal Torrey Pines golf courses. They toil long hours for months in advance and then all but collapse onto their couches when the final putt drops…”
B&B POV: Hey Torrey, here comes the Genesis! First off, we are glad the Genesis Inv. found a new home and a good one at that. There was no way the event would be staged this year—and possibly well into the future—at Riviera in Pacific Palisades.
Torrey Pines South, which hosted the Farmers last week, is about to see a Genesis field full of stars, 5x the hospitality and porta-potties, 2x the purse, and if Tiger plays, 10x the number of fans that walked outside the ropes last week. Thank you San Diego for signing off on the permits. We are excited to see Tiger’s tourney happen this year and raise much-needed disaster relief funds for those affected by the So Cal fires.
What’s in the Bag: Harris English, 2025 Farmers Insurance Open
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: It’s been four years since English last won a PGA TOUR event. Any rust that might have prevented him from lifting the big A trophy after Saturday’s final round was wiped away as he thrashed through Torrey’s thick & wet grass. The big Ping-playing Georgian only managed to hit four fairways during his final round, but he did what was necessary to secure the win. Later this year, he’ll head to PHX to see his newest gold Ping putter showcased at their headquarters – one of the coolest traditions in professional golf. (Read up.)
Congrats to English and Ping….
Harris English’s Golf Gear
DRIVER: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees) – ON SALE, with Fujikura Ventus Blue TR 6X shaft
FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G400 (14.5 degrees), with Fujikura Atmos Blue Tour Spec 7X shaft
IRONS: Ping G410 Crossover (3), with Fujikura ATMOS Black 9X shaft, Ping Blueprint T (4-9), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts
WEDGES: Ping Glide 4.0 (46 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shaft, (52, 56), Glide Forged (60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts
PUTTER: Ping Scottsdale Ho Hum
BALL: Titleist Pro V1
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PAYDAY! Farmers Insurance Open Winners & Losers
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Harris English is finally back in the winner’s circle after a nearly four-year dry spell. The 35-year-old’s triumphant return to the top came on Saturday at the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open, just a few years post-hip surgery. It’s safe to say he’s officially shaken off the rust. Sam Stevens made a valiant push with a 4-under 68 on Saturday—best round of the day—but still had to settle for second place.
For his victory, English is now $1.67 million richer. Guess that’ll help cover a few rounds of drinks and whatever else his heart desires.
Fed up on-course reporter Dottie Pepper has a message for PGA Tour slow pokes: Have some ‘respect’
– by Tod Leonard / Golf Digest
Per Tod: “Dottie Pepper was fed up. The well-respected lead on-course reporter for CBS had spent nearly three hours following the final group of Harris English, Andrew Novak and Aldrich Potgieter…”
| B&B POV: Dottie’s played and broadcasted golf at the highest levels. If anyone can attest that the play on the tour is a bloody joke, it’s her. The tour insists that upcoming changes, including smaller fields, will help fix the slow play situation. But honestly, at this point, do we really think that’ll change anything? It’s time to bring out the shot clock like the one they feature on Tiger’s TGL sim league!!! |
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YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS…
Yes, but then who am I going to complain to?
Things you just can’t make up. Don’t miss these random nuggets of gold we found on the interwebs. You’re welcome.
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