Can Harris English be in the mix at Southern Hills after hip surgery? He thinks so

A stellar 2021 season has been mostly a wash for Harris English of St. Simons Island, Ga.

After winning twice, cracking the top-10 on the Official World Golf Ranking and making his Ryder Cup debut at Whistling Straits (he went 1-2 but lost both matches on the 18th hole), English hasn’t played since the Sony Open in January after hip surgery. He’s had a bone growth on his femur, which he treated with platelet-rich plasma injections, but surgery was inevitable and he finally pulled the trigger at a facility in Vail, Colo.

English was one of only two top-20 players to miss The Players Championship and the four-time Tour winner missed the Masters for the first time he was eligible, denying the Valdosta native and former University of Georgia player the chance to improve on his tied for 21st in 2021.

“It sucked to miss the Masters and Match Play and tournaments I really like,” English told the Associated Press. “But I was looking at the next eight to 10 years of having a chance to compete and win golf tournaments.”

Harris English reacts on the 15th hole after getting a hole in during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. (Photo: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports)

English now thinks he can play for the first time in five months at the PGA Championship at Southern Hills. He’s been taking long walks on St. Simons and recently began hitting short irons with his coach Justin Parsons.

“They liked where everything was at,” English said of doctors’ opinions. “It feels like there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel.”

English said returning to action at a major probably isn’t the best way to ease in.

“You’ve got to start somewhere,” he said. “I’ll prepare as much as I can to win.”

See more notes from Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union here.