Amateur English wins on Nationwide Tour
24 Jul 2011
by Golfweek
see also: Harris English Rankings
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 24, 2011) -- Harris English became the second amateur to win on the Nationwide Tour this year, rolling in a 10-foot birdie on the last hole for a 1-under 70 to capture the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational.
English, who just finished his senior year at Georgia, joined fellow Bulldog Russell Henley as Nationwide Tour winners this year.
In what looked more like a college tournament on the Scarlet course at Ohio State, a two-shot swing on the last hole gave English a one-shot victory over another amateur, John Peterson of LSU, and Kyle Reifers.
Peterson had a one-shot lead until driving into a bad lie in the rough and making bogey for a 72. English won with his birdie putt, and Reifers also birdied the last hole for a 68 to tie for second.
English and Peterson could not accept prize money as amateurs, so Reifers was awarded first prize of $144,000 which moved him from No. 52 to No. 5 on the Nationwide Tour money list, making it likely that Reifers will return to the PGA Tour next year.
English was coming off a win in the Southern Amateur last week, while Peterson won the NCAA individual title in June.
The win at least gives English status on the Nationwide Tour next year depending on how he fares at PGA Tour qualifying later this year. Still to come are more amateur events, starting with the Porter Cup.
English and Peterson hope to play in the Walker Cup in September. U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein, who will be a senior at Oklahoma State, tied for ninth.