Top Ten St Jude Finish for Padraig

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Padraig Harrington finished the back nine at the FedEx St. Jude Classic on Sunday in 34 strokes to secure a share of tenth place in Memphis with his round of 71, and now moves to Merion for the US Open. 

After dropping consecutive shots on holes four and five, Harrington made the turn in 37, and ended the week with a one over par finish.

It was Harris English who won the honours, making birdies on two of the final three holes to hold off Phil Mickelson and Scott Stallings by two strokes.

"I had probably 10 high school friends out there today," said English, who picked up 500 FedExCup points and moved to 13th in the standings with the win. "And I know that if I make a birdie or a bogey, they're probably going to be the same and they're rooting me on. I was just really relaxed out there today. Bogeyed 8 and 9, which was tough. But I knew if I kept it together on the back nine, I could make a run at the thing."

The 23-year-old former University of Georgia star in his second year on the PGA TOUR survived a final round where he had six birdies and five bogeys. He finished with a 1-under 69 for a 12-under 268 total to get the victory in the same state where he helped Baylor in Chattanooga win four Tennessee high school golf titles.

English said caddie Brian Smith also helped him refocus as he made the turn.

"I really didn't think I'd be in this seat right here coming off 9," English said. "I thought I kind of made some really dumb bogeys on 8, 9 and kind of shot myself out of the tournament. But Smitty was saying, `Hey let's go beat this back nine. Let's get back under par for the tournament for the day, and let's get after it.' So it was almost pedal to the metal."

English got four of his birdies on the back nine and saw on No. 14 that he was near the lead at 10 under. He made a 5-foot birdie putt on No. 16 to tie Stallings for the lead, but Stallings bogeyed No. 18 to give English the lead to himself. English made a 17-foot birdie putt on No. 17, and overcame shaking hands as he two-putted No. 18 to pick up the winner's check of $1,026,000.

"It's quite an unbelievable feeling," English said.

Mickelson shot a 67, and Stallings had a 68. Mickelson said English finished strong and has been playing some great golf, but the four-time major winner got most of what he wanted after not playing the previous three weeks as he tuned up for the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club.

Harris English moved to 13th in the FedExCup. See what other players made a big move at TPC Southwind.Standings

"I'm really encouraged with the way I hit my irons," Mickelson said. "Got to get the 3-wood in play a little bit more, although next week at Merion distance won't be as critical as TPC Southwind. I'll be able to hit higher and softer shots."

English became the fourth player to win the event in his first start since the tournament moved to TPC Southwind in 1989 and the second straight after Dustin Johnson a year ago.

The final round returned to normal Memphis weather with the temperature reaching the high 80s along with the wind blowing from the south at 10-15 mph as it usually does at TPC Southwind.

English won the Southern Amateur in 2011 and was an amateur when he won on the Web.com Tour in July 2011. He moved to the PGA TOUR in 2012 and finished 79th in FedExCup points. Now he has his fourth top 10 this year and a precious invitation to the Masters for the Georgia native.

Mickelson birdied Nos. 13 and 16, but he just missed a 13-footer for birdie on the par-4 17th. He then went right at the hole on No. 18 from 151 yards and just missed, leaving a 2-foot birdie putt to tie Stallings at 10 under.

English then finished off the win and celebrated with a simple fist pump.

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Padraig Enjoys Moving Day

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Padraig Harrington carded eight birdies in a five-under-par third round of 65 to move into the top 10 at the St Jude Classic in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday.

The Dubliner also carded three bogeys in his round to move into a tie for eighth spot on six under alongside the American duo of Ryan Palmer and Roberto Castro.

PGA Tour rookie Shawn Stefani rebounded superbly from a quadruple-bogey seven at the 11th to move to 12 under and edge one stroke clear of playing partner Harris English.

Seeking his first victory on the US circuit, American Stefani piled up eight birdies on the way to a four-under-par 66 on a warm day at the TPC Southwind, picking up four shots in his last five holes.

English, who had been two strokes in front of the chasing pack overnight in pursuit of his maiden PGA Tour title, rolled in a 14-footer to birdie the last for a 69 to secure outright second place.

“It’s funny, I actually hit a good shot,” Stefani, 31, told Golf Channel about his tee shot at the par-three 11th which ended up in water. “I just pulled the wrong club with the wrong wind. It happens. But it was a good day and I played good. It actually helped to have Harris along because he’s a great young player and we have a lot of similarities in our lives and stuff. I had a great time with him and I’m looking forward to it tomorrow.”

Another rookie, Patrick Reed, fired the day’s lowest score, a six-birdie 64 lifting him into a tie for third at eight under with fellow Americans Nicholas Thompson (66) and Scott Stallings (67).

Four-times Major champion Phil Mickelson also mounted a charge, a 65 putting him at seven under alongside rookie Eric Meierdierks (66).

“I’ve played better each round and I’m encouraged by that,” Mickelson said after mixing an eagle at the par-five third with six birdies and three bogeys. “I could really get some glimpses of my game getting where I want it.

“Hopefully, I’ll put together a really low round (on Sunday) and catch the leaders.”

Harrington’s group were a stroke better than Englishman Ian Poulter and defending champion Dustin Johnson, who returned matching 68s.

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Harrington in Tennessee Waltz

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Padraig Harrington is the only Irish entry at this week's St. Jude Classic, which will feature five of the PGA TOUR’s current Top 10 money winners and four of the Top 8 players in all-important FedExCup points.

Among the top names are World Golf Hall of Fame member and gallery favourite Phil Mickelson and Tennessee favourite son Brandt Snedeker of Nashville along with defending champion Dustin Johnson.

The field will include winners of 11 TOUR events this year and 26 winners since the start of the 2012 season.

Snedeker, a former Vanderbilt star who grew up in Nashville, currently ranks second in FedExCup standings, second in TOUR earnings for this year, and fifth in the World Golf Rankings. Snedeker is the reigning FedEx Cup champion.

Mickelson, a four-time winner of major championships including three Masters Tournaments, is ranked 11th in the world and seventh in both FedExCup points and TOUR money for 2013.

Among other players joining Padraig at the $5.7 million are Ian Poulter of England; recent U. S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III; and two-time major championship winner John Daly.

The 72-hole championship will start Thursday and end on Sunday with the traditional Seersucker Sunday celebration. 

“We made a concerted effort this year to beef up our field as related to the Top 50 players in the world,” tournament director Phil Cannon said. “We had our eye on three players in that category for some time for sponsor’s exemptions, but only one was available to play next week – George Coetzee (No. 54).

“We were very pleased to be able to invite Shaun Micheel and David Duval, both winners of major championships. Plus, we have a great group of distinguished amateurs with the young phenom from China, and the two standout youngsters from the United States.

“Two spots remain available and we’ll be watching several options in the next few days, including the results of the NCAA Championship in Atlanta.”

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St Jude Offers McIlroy No Respite

Rory McIlroy had to settle for a share of seventh place at the St Jude Classic as a final-hole double bogey ended his hopes of a morale-boosting win ahead of his US Open title defence next week.

McIlroy was sharing the lead as he stood on the 18th tee, but he found water on the last as he hit a 69.

Dustin Johnson clinched victory as birdies on the 16th and 17th helped him card a closing 66.

Johnson finished a shot ahead of another American, John Merrick.

Merrick went close to forcing a play-off as his chip for birdie at the closing hole just failed to drop.

Johnson, who won his sixth PGA Tour title, only returned to action recently after two months out because of a rib injury.

After missing the cut in his last three events, McIlroy looked set for victory after four birdies in his opening 11 holes moved him to nine under and two clear of the field.

However, the 23-year-old's momentum was halted by bogeys on the 12th and 14th.

The US Open champion moved back into the joint lead with Chad Campbell and Johnson after a superb birdie on 17.

However, his hooked three-wood tee shot at the final hole put paid to his hopes as he also failed to get up and down for bogey from just off the green.

Campbell also found water at the last and his closing bogey dropped him into a share of third place with Ryan Palmer, Nick O'Hern and US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III.

England's Greg Owen ended up in a share of 11th place on five under after a closing 65, with Padraig Harrington a further shot back after a 69.

John Daly finished on three under as he fired a closing 64.

McIlroy Still in Memphis Mix

Rory McIlroy dropped a shot off the pace at the St Jude Classic after firing a two-over 72 in windy conditions in Saturday's third round.

McIlroy led by a stroke after Friday's 65 but struggles off the tee caused him to card six bogeys on Saturday.

US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love shares the lead on six under with John Merrick and Australia's Nick O'Hern.

McIlroy, is a shot back with Dustin Johnson, Kevin Kisner, Chad Campbell, Robert Allenby and Kevin Stadler.

Stadler moved into a four-shot lead early in his round but his momentum was halted by a double bogey at the ninth and two further dropped shots on the back nine.

Ahead of his US Open defence next week, McIlroy hit only six out of 14 fairways but was cheered by a closing birdie as he holed a 10 footer.

"It was a very testing day with the conditions and I definitely didn't feel as comfortable as yesterday," said McIlroy, who has missed the cut in his last three tournaments.

"But it was a good experience trying to put what I've been working on in my swing into competitive pressure.

"For the most part it held up pretty well but there were a few loose shots out there.

"I'm only one off the lead and in a good position going into tomorrow."

Padraig Harrington is three shots off the pace after firing a battling 71 on Saturday.

Mac is Back at the Top

Rory McIlroy snapped his string of three straight missed cuts in style Friday, shooting a 5-under 65 to take the lead into the weekend at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.

McIlroy came to Memphis looking to tune up his game before heading to San Francisco for his U.S. Open title defense at The Olympic Club. He birdied three of his final four holes, and had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys to match his lowest PGA TOUR round this year.

With a birdie on No. 18, McIlroy reached 7 under to break out of a four-way tie for the lead.

"It's nice to see my name on that part of the leaderboard," McIlroy said. "It's not nice when you're struggling to make the cut on a Friday afternoon. It was great. It's nice to be through to the weekend obviously. It's obviously even nicer to be leading and have a great chance."

Jeff Maggert, tied for the first-round lead with John Merrick, shot a 68 to match J.B. Holmes (64) and Kevin Stadler (65) at 6 under. Merrick had a 69 to join Chad Campbell(67) and Kevin Kisner (66) at 5 under.

Davis Love III, the Americans' Ryder Cup captain, had a 68 and was tied with Padraig Harrington (68) at 4 under. John Daly birdied his first three holes on his back nine to get to 5 under but finished with a 69 and was at tied at 3 under -- making his fourth cut in five events.

No one has ever won a PGA TOUR event, then followed up the next week by winning the U.S. Open. After playing only two rounds each at THE PLAYERS Championship, the BMW PGA Championship in England and then the Memorial last week, McIlroy isn't thinking about history. His goal in Memphis is playing as much competitive golf as possible while honing his game.

"I saw a lot of positive signs with my ball striking. Hit a lot of good iron shots and drivers. So that was something that I was really working on the last couple of weeks and feels like it's coming together for me. So excited to be in this position for the weekend. This is really what I wanted heading into next week," McIlroy said.

"For the time being, my mind is focused on trying to win this golf tournament."

McIlroy certainly has his driver working very well. Even when his caddie suggested a 3-wood off the tee at No. 18, McIlroy stuck with his driver and drove the ball 329 yards. That left him 115 yards to the pin, and he hit his approach to 5 feet for the final birdie and the lead.

He started four strokes back of Holmes, who took advantage of a morning tee time to take the clubhouse lead at 6 under. McIlroy was happy with his play Thursday with the exception of a bogey on the par-5 third. He made up for that with an eagle Friday, sticking an 8-iron to 9 feet.

Then he parred his way around the rest of the front nine, making the turn at 5 under and a stroke off the lead. McIlroy moved into a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with his second birdie of the round on the par-3 11th. He stuck his tee shot 5 feet from the hole and rolled the putt in for birdie to reach 6 under.

He bogeyed Nos. 12 and 13 to fall back. McIlroy said he wasn't happy that he had a wedge in his hand in the fairway on No. 13 from 127 yards only to hit into the rough turning a birdie chance into a bogey.

McIlroy turned it around on the par-5 16th, hitting his second shot to 4 feet. The ball hit the left edge and curled right, leaving McIlroy to tap in for birdie and a share of the lead. He had a nice par save on No. 17 after hitting his drive behind a tree and his second into a greenside bunker before getting up and down with a 4-footer for par and the final birdie.

"To finish strong the way I did was great, and it gives me momentum going into tomorrow," McIlroy said.

Holmes had his low round of the year as he works his way back from brain surgery last September. He had seven birdies and a bogey, putting himself into strong position.

"I wasn't knocking pins down, but I hit them in there pretty close," Holmes said. "Made a couple 6-footers, but I putted well. I was hitting it 15, 20 feet and making some putts."

Maggert was the first to get to 7 under when he birdied No. 16, but he gave back the stroke with his lone bogey on No. 17 that left him pretty happy with only one with the TPC Southwind course playing tough.

"There's probably 30, 40 guys still in the tournament," said Maggert, who won the 2006 title. "I need the play well on the weekend, especially tomorrow, and stick to my game plan and play solid golf."

McIlroy Happy Walking in Memphis

Rory McIlroy hopes the decision to play at the St Jude Classic pays off before he begins the defence of his US Open title, as he doesn't normally play competitively the week before a major.

However he has made an exception this time around due to his recent poor run.

McIlroy has missed the cut at his last three events, including shooting a seven-over-par 79 in his second round at the Memorial in Ohio last Friday.

"Getting here and playing the course this morning, and seeing how excited people are just to have us here, I'm really happy to be here," he said after competing in the pro-am competition.

"I'm happy to get another competitive tournament in before next week. It'll be nice to turn around my form here this week and give myself a chance to win."

The 23-year-old admits that success in Memphis could lead to a permanent change in his schedule, adding: "If this week I play well and go into the US Open feeling really good about my game and I play well there, it's something that I might do in the future.

"But the main thing this week is to just get some more competitive golf in ... the last three tournaments I've played I've only played for two days and just haven't really felt like I've gotten into the tournaments."

At least McIlroy made the most of his failure to qualify for the weekend at the Memorial - it allowed him to go to San Francisco and play some rounds at the Olympic Club - the venue for next week's US Open.

"I went out and played a little at Olympic on Saturday evening, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday," he said.

"It was good to play a few rounds there and get a feel for the golf course.

"I did a lot of good work with my coach Michael Bannon right there in San Francisco. Even though it wasn't the way I wanted to spend the weekend, I still felt I got a lot out of it."

Leaderboard

Irish Golf Trinity Paired for St Jude

Rory McIlroy will have no trouble recognising his playing partners in the opening two rounds of the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis this week - they are Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington.

The three Irishmen have all travelled to the event seeking a boost in confidence ahead of the US Open next week.

McIlroy, defending champion in San Francisco, has missed his last three halfway cuts, Harrington is down to 96th in the world after missing three of his last four cuts and McDowell also made an early exit from his last start at the BMW PGA Championship two weeks ago.

Round 1 tee times