Harris English Wins Travelers: Hickok Goes Down In 8-Hole Playoff

Harris English
Harris English

Harris English won a tough eight-hole playoff after six and a half hours, and 80 holes played in 80-degree heat. In the end, the second-longest sudden death in PGA tour history went to the toughest player standing as he downed Kramer Hickok and won the Travelers Championship.

Harris English commended Hickok for putting up a good fight. English shot a 5-under 65 to end at 13 under. He then managed to rally 7 pars in the playoff before managing to hole a 16-birdie putt to ensure victory.

Somebody had to make a birdie at some stage and Harris English finally got it right at the end. The playoff was forced as both managed to birdie the final hole in regulation time, forcing a playoff. This is only second to the sudden death of 11-holes in the Motor City Open in 1949. Cary MIddlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum were declared co-winners as darkness stopped play.

4th Career Victory For Harris English

It turned out to be the 4th career victory and the 2nd win in 2021 for Harris English. He was third at the US Open last week. He also finished 4th in the US Open in September, delayed then by the pandemic.

The win got him 500 FedEx Cup Points and $1,368,000. He moves into the second position in the standings.

The playoff included 8 putts made from 5 feet or more. This included a 15-foot putt from Hickok at the 6th hole followed by the 16 foot one from Harris English to finally win the marathon game.

The game seemed to swing either way on every hole. At one stage Hickok looked the certain winner when Harris English got up against a bunker.

The game turned out to be one of the tensest but enjoyable ones of the tournament. It also marked the first time ever since 2012 when an eight-hole playoff was required at a tour event.