Harry Higgs: Why I’m Rethinking My Entire Golf Career
Harry Higgs: The Honest Golfer Who Makes Us Laugh and Think
Published: August 22, 2026 | 3:00 PM ET
By: Tim Schmitt, Managing Editor of Golfweek
Who Is Harry Higgs?
Imagine a professional golfer who talks like your funniest, most honest friend. That’s Harry Higgs.
- Former college star at SMU (Southern Methodist University)
- PGA Tour player who’s had a tough 2026 season — only 3 cuts made in 11 starts
- Fan favorite because he says what everyone else is thinking but won’t say out loud
- Refreshingly real in a sport full of polished, safe answers
Important Point: Even though his scores haven’t been great this year, Higgs remains one of golf’s most popular interview subjects. People want to hear what he has to say.
The Funny Shorts Incident at the U.S. Open
What Happened (Step by Step)
- Opening tee time at the 2026 U.S. Open at famous Shinnecock Hills
- Harry arrives wearing shorts — completely normal for practice, but against the rules for tournament rounds
- Realizes his mistake only when he gets to the locker room
- Panic mode! He needs pants fast
- Borrows a pair from Anthony Naylor, a veteran pro with a similar build
- Plays great anyway — finishes top 10 after two rounds
- Shoots 77 on Saturday, finishes tied for 43rd (T-43)
Fun Fact: This wardrobe malfunction only made people love him more. It’s the kind of "oops" moment that could happen to any of us!
What He Thinks About LIV Golf
Back in January 2023, Higgs gave an interview that people still talk about. Here’s the simple version:
The Big Picture
- LIV Golf is a new, Saudi-backed league that lured many top players away from the PGA Tour
- Higgs doesn’t blame anyone for leaving — the money is life-changing
- But he noticed something interesting: LIV took many of golf’s "characters"
In His Own Words (Simplified)
"They took all the villains. They took the guys who’d get written about — sometimes for bad reasons. But those ‘bad guys’ made the tour interesting. People watched because of them."
Why It Matters
- Golf needs personalities, not just perfect swings
- When "colorful" players leave, the sport loses stories that grab attention
- Higgs "struggles with this" — he sees both sides
His Honest Thoughts on His Career Right Now
At the AdventHealth Championship (a Korn Ferry Tour event in Kansas City), Higgs opened up like never before.
The Core Problem: Results vs. Process
| What He’s Doing Now | What He Wants to Do |
|---|---|
| Obsessing over scores | Enjoying the pursuit of getting better |
| Beating himself up over bad shots | Being kinder to himself |
| Happy Monday–Wednesday, stressed Thursday–Sunday | Finding joy during tournaments too |
| "Not ready" for shots (which he can control) | Preparing better, then letting go |
His Raw Quote (Translated to Plain English)
"I love the chase. But I care way too much about the result. When I play well, I believe in myself. When I don’t, I doubt everything. I’m trying to stop worrying about the scorecard and start loving the grind again — even the hard parts."
Finding Balance: Golf, Family, and the Future
The Big Realization
Higgs isn’t retiring tomorrow. But he’s made peace with the idea that his playing career has an expiration date.
His New Perspective (Bullet Points)
- Golf is still cool — the daily pursuit of mastery is fun
- Results don’t define him — "Who cares?" (even if it’s impossible to fully believe that)
- Family comes first — he loves being a dad, cleaning up messes, doing his part
- Life after golf? No panic — "If it’s not golf, I’ll figure it out"
- Still believes in himself — "I can still do great things… I just have to keep that belief for five hours at a time"
The Mental Game Plan
- Accept the stress of the season’s final stretch
- Focus on the next shot, not the standings
- When it gets hard (bad swing, bad day) → keep believing
- Make this tough year just a "blip on the radar"
Summary
Harry Higgs is the rare pro athlete who reminds us that behind every scorecard is a human being.
- He’s struggling on the course but winning in the locker room with honesty and humor
- His shorts mishap at the U.S. Open showed he can laugh at himself
- His LIV Golf take revealed he thinks deeply about the sport’s soul
- His current mindset shift — from results to process, from fear to acceptance — is something anyone chasing a dream can relate to
Whether he wins another tournament or not, Harry Higgs has already won something rarer: the respect of fans who value truth over trophies.
FAQ
Is Harry Higgs still on the PGA Tour?
He’s playing mostly on the Korn Ferry Tour (the developmental tour) in 2026 after a tough PGA Tour season. He’s fighting to earn his way back.
Why did he wear shorts to the U.S. Open?
It was an honest mistake — he forgot the tournament dress code requires long pants. He borrowed a pair just in time!
What did he mean by "they took all the assholes"?
He was joking (kind of) that LIV Golf signed many of the PGA Tour’s most outspoken, polarizing personalities — the guys who create headlines, good or bad.
Is he quitting golf?
No. He says he still believes he can "achieve some pretty great things." But he’s also at peace with whatever happens next.
Why do fans like him so much?
Because he talks like a real person — not a PR robot. He admits fear, doubt, and frustration. That makes him relatable, even if you’ve never held a golf club.
"When it gets hard… keep that belief and go from there."
— Harry Higgs, August 2026