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2021 Sony Open: Top 10 power rankings at Waialae

By Mike Randleman

Jan 14, 2018; Honolulu, HI, USA; A general view of the 17th green with the palm trees forming a W for Waialae Country Club as seen during the final round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2018; Honolulu, HI, USA; A general view of the 17th green with the palm trees forming a W for Waialae Country Club as seen during the final round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 10, 2021; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Harris English hoists the trophy during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 10, 2021; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Harris English hoists the trophy during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

By traditional requirements, Harris English shouldn’t have been in the field of last week’s Tournament of Champions. The PGA Tour veteran hadn’t won since 2013. But, due to the prior season being shortened by the pandemic, the TOC field was bolstered by inviting the 30 players who made the 2020 Tour Championship.

English was remarkably consistent in 2020 to get to East Lake. The former Georgia Bulldog made 14 of 16 cuts with six top-10s, one being solo second in the FedEx Cup Playoffs’ The Northern Trust.

It had to be frustrating to not get a trophy, but it was immense progress. Late in 2019, English was outside the top 350 in the world and was in the Korn Ferry Tour Playoffs.

English’ persistence finally paid off at the TOC. The 31-year-old fired rounds of 65-67-66-69 to reach 25-under and a playoff with Joaquin Niemann. English was about 20 yards farther back in the fairway on the par-5 18th hole used for the playoff, but a remarkable approach shot from 268 yards to 10 feet set up an easy birdie while Niemann missed the green in two and couldn’t get up and down for birdie.

“I’m still not satisfied with where I’m at in the game. There’s still a lot more that I want to accomplish,” English was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “Hopefully, this is just the tip of the iceberg of me getting better and better, and hopefully having a chance to win a lot more tournaments.”

English is now up to his highest position in the Official World Golf Ranking at No. 17. He’s firmly in the race to make his first American Ryder Cup team in 2021.

Winning the Sony Open would help the cause. This is English’s ninth visit to Waialae. He’s never missed this event since debuting with a T-67th. His only missed cut was in 2017 and English has three top-10s highlighted by T-3rd in 2015.

Considering English won last week at a more bomber-friendly Kapalua, he theoretically should have an even better chance at a place like Waialae. English is outside the top 100 in driving distance (295.7) but is 45th in driving accuracy (66.76%).

His overall game is sharp as he’s top 40 in strokes gained putting, SG around the green, and SG tee to green.

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