• St Jude Classic, Round Four

English claims maiden title in Memphis

Harris English saw off the threat of Phil Mickelson to win his first title © Getty Images

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St Jude Classic leaderboard

Harris English recorded his first ever PGA title win with victory at the St Jude Classic, finishing with a final round of 69 to top the leaderboard at twelve-under par, two shots ahead of fellow American Scott Stallings and four-time Major winner Phil Mickelson.

With the US Open starting on Thursday, several big-name players such as Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Tiger Woods chose to miss the Memphis event in preparation for Merion.

However, English was in full concentration to produce a stunning fightback up the back nine at TPC Southwind to overcome a poor start to his round and claim a maiden Tour victory.

The 24-year-old struggled on the front nine, dropping a shot at the second before cancelling two birdies out with three bogeys to go out with a two-over 37.

A chip-in at the tenth followed by a marvellous tee shot and birdie putt at 11 levelled his score, before another bogey at the 13th looked to dent his chances of the title. However, a second birdie double at 16 and 17 - including at 18-foot putt at the latter - gave him breathing space down the last.

A routine par sealed the win for English, and left Stallings contemplating a stuttering end to his final round of 68. A double bogey at 15 and bogey at 18 sat either side of a birdie, ruining the American's otherwise flawless round.

Mickelson will look to take his ever-improving form into the US Open, finishing strongly with a three-under round of 67. Three birdies in his final five holes, where 'Lefty' almost eagled the last with a stunning second shot from the fairway, ended a promising weekend for the 42-year-old.

Elsewhere, Ryan Palmer carded a 67 to finish outright fourth, three shots behind English while fellow American Patrick Reed ended on even par for the day to finish fifth overall.

Ian Poulter struggled to rekindle the form of his early rounds, kicking off proceedings with a double bogey at the first. A birdie on three gained a shot and things looked positive when the Englishman made par in the remaining seven holes of his front nine.

However, the former Open runner-up struggled once more on the return to the clubhouse with a double bogey on the 12th followed by three more dropped shots in five holes, eventually finishing in 40 on the back nine to card a six-over 76, dropping to one-over par for the tournament.

Rory Sabbatini and Justin Hicks both completed solid final rounds to finish at six-under overall, while Billy Horschel, who landed his first title when winning the Zurich Classic in April, finished with a 67 to move five-under after his four rounds.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson suffered two bogeys in his final two holes to drop to five-under, along with Australia's Robert Allenby and Padraig Harrington.

Overnight leader Shawn Stefani suffered a disastrous final round, finishing with a 76 that ended his hopes. Five bogeys and a double bogey spoiled his first three days before a solitary birdie at 17 meant he ended on a positive.

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