The third round of the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open features a jumbled leaderboard, with some big names and other rounds more unknown.
And Harris English decided to separate himself in one fell swoop. Former Georgia standout closing three straight birdies Posted a 6-under 66 and sits at 9-under overall through 54 holes. He leads Andrew Novak in strokes entering Saturday's final round.
“We had some really good numbers in the last three holes, but sometimes you have to be aggressive when you have really good numbers. It's good to finish like that. We're heading into tomorrow. Good momentum,” English said of his finish.
“I know it's going to be tough, it's going to be a grind. This course is really hard. One of the toughest on tour. You're going to miss fairways, you're going to miss greens. But you have to make some tough putts and keep yourself in the game.”
Torrey Pines South took no prisoners this week. The reality often seen at major championships, but not at PGA Tour events in January, is only 40 players over three rounds.
However, English has remained calm throughout the week, persevering through tough conditions and taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him.
“I've been playing this place for a long time. I feel like I know where to miss, where to be aggressive, where to be patient and have that yellow light pin of not being aggressive. “I will,” he said in English.
“I feel like I picked my spots really well today, and it was nice to see the putts go in.”
English has previously played well at Torrey Pines, with his best finish being T-2 in 2015. He actually lost in the four-man playoff as Jason Day took the win. He also placed 8th in 2018. However, since then, English has made five starts in the Farmers Insurance Open, with his best finish being T-64. He missed three cuts during that period.
“Winning on the PGA Tour is tough,” said the 35-year-old English.
“Winning at a place like this is massive. It's one of my favorite places. And the list of winners here is pretty incredible, so I'm in the mix and looking forward to tomorrow. I love it.”
English has relied heavily on his approach play and his putting so far this week. If these two aspects of his game continue to shine, he will win his first PGA Tour event in almost four years.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Play. follow him on x @jack_milko.