Americans thrill to the class of Harris English

Harris English was the clubhouse leader after he moved to 10 under par following a superb second round at the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis yesterday.

English’s 66 on Thursday had put him in a six-way tie for the lead after the first round. However, while many around him could not match their first-round exertions, the American exceeded his efforts with a 64 – although it could have been better considering he dropped a shot at the final hole.

He made a superb start yesterday with three birdies and an eagle in his first five holes. Consecutive birdies at the 15th and 16th were followed by a bogey at the last as he finished the round six under par.

Shawn Stefani was almost as impressive as he followed his first-round 67 with a 65, including five birdies and no bogeys to move two shots behind English.

Three shots further adrift was Paul Haley as he added a 68, including three birdies and one bogey, to his first-round 67.

A shot behind was a group of four which included Davis Love III, who had been in the leading group of six overnight. However, after starting on the back nine, the American dropped a shot at the 11th and although he picked up two birdies, he hit a double bogey at the par-four 17th. The front nine included a birdie and a bogey before he picked up a shot at the final hole for a round of 70, four under overall.

The other three at four under were Glen Day, who followed his 66 on Thursday with a 70 comprising four birdies and four bogeys, Justin Hicks, who added a 69 to his opening 67, and Doug LaBelle, who hit four birdies en route to a 66.

The Australian Stuart Appleby, another of the overnight leaders, hit three bogeys and a birdie to finish with a round of 71 to move among a large group on three under.

The defending champion, Dustin Johnson, had started a shot behind but he had three birdies and the same number of bogeys, crucially one at the final hole to finish with a round of 70 to join Appleby.

Also on three under was Jason Bohn, who hit a 67 on Thursday, but yesterday had a rollercoaster round that included three consecutive birdies and bogeys as well as a double bogey as he carded a 70.