Harris English storms into Open field

American Harris English earned his place at the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes after rounds of 60 and 63 in American Open qualifying tournament

Harris English
(Image credit: Getty Images)

PGA Tour Rookie Harris English broke the course record at Gleaneagles Country Club in Texas en rote to a 17-under par 36-hole total in Open qualifying.

English finished four shots clear of his nearest competitor, one of eight golfers to earn their place at this year's Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes through the International Final Qualifying tournament.

In the first round of the event, which took place on Monday, Harris recored a career-best ten-under-par round of 60. He also broke the course record after finishing with six consecutive birdies.

He followed his 60 with a second round 63 at the 6,871 yard Queens Course, which was hosting the qualifying event for the fourth consecutive year.

"I kind of lost track of how many straight birdies I made. I was relaxed. I had some fun. I was striking the ball really well. In fact, I was doing everything really well," said English.

"It's awesome. I played in the Walker Cup last year in Scotland, which was a really special experience. I mean, it's the home of golf over there. I told my parents and my agent that I really, really wanted to play in The Open, so I came here today with that goal...and here I go."

English - who takes part in his first Open Championship in July - will be joined at Lytham and St Annes by Englishman Greg Owen, Steven Ames, Justin Hicks, Andres Romero, Bob Estes, James Driscoll and Daniel Chopra.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x