HOYLAKE, England — As the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club reached its final round, American Brian Harman found himself facing a vocal crowd. With a 5-stroke lead going into the last day, the pressure was on.
When Harman’s approach shot veered right of the second green, the gallery erupted in cheers, hoping for a shift in the leaderboard.
Having dominated the second round with a remarkable 5-under 67, Harman had become the player to beat, but the British crowd, fervent in their support for anyone but him, added intensity to the competition. He seemed to have turned England’s Super Bowl into a one-sided affair, and his challengers were eager to seize the opportunity.
As the world’s 26th-ranked player, Harman surprised everyone with his performance at the rain-soaked Royal Liverpool. His final round score of 1-under 70 led him to victory, securing the coveted Claret Jug with a 72-hole total of 271. He finished 6 shots ahead of his closest competitors, including South Korea’s Tom Kim, Austria’s Sepp Straka, Australia’s Jason Day, and Spain’s Jon Rahm.
Harman remained unperturbed by the jeering emanating from the crowd, gracefully accepting it with composure. “It’s inconsequential,” he remarked, “as each individual possesses a preferred team they ardently support. Indeed, I acknowledge their words, and had they intended to hinder my performance, they should have approached me with utmost affability.”
Harman’s triumph marked a historical achievement as his 6-stroke margin of victory equaled the second-largest in the history of the Open Championship by golfers representing the United States. It was a feat that only Tiger Woods had surpassed, winning with an 8-stroke margin at St. Andrews in Scotland in 2000.
At the age of 36, Harman attained the distinction of being the eldest first-time major champion since Spain’s Sergio Garcia, who secured the Masters title in 2017. His triumph rewarded him with a substantial prize of $3 million.
Contemplating his journey to triumph, Harman shared his unwavering self-confidence in accomplishing such a significant milestone. However, the passage of time and the emergence of younger prodigies had taken a toll on his assurance. I am 36 years old, and the game is rapidly evolving with the emergence of youthful talents who can drive the ball for miles and possess the readiness to seize triumph. I find myself wondering when my chance will come again. It has been a trying ordeal to cope with. Someone once remarked that I’ve attained more top 10 finishes than anyone else since 2017, which only adds to the frustration, as many times I conclude, ‘Fate has been unkind; I had that one.’ But, alas, it did not transpire for whatever inexplicable reason.”
Harman’s underdog status as a 125-1 longshot to win The Open didn’t deter him. He embraced the challenge and wasn’t bothered by the lack of support from Las Vegas odds or the spectators at Royal Liverpool. In fact, he might have preferred it that way.
During his round on Saturday alongside Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, Harman encountered some unsavory comments from the crowd. While acknowledging the unpleasantries, he remained focused on making the best decisions for his game.
Throughout the final day, the crowd’s cheers resonated for various contenders, including the local favorite Tommy Fleetwood, and the likes of Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, and the injured Tom Kim. However, for Harman, the overwhelming support came only after he had sealed his victory with a spectacular 40-foot birdie putt on the par-4 14th hole, followed by an 8-footer on the par-5 15th.
Harris English, a fellow PGA Tour player and one of Harman’s former teammates at Georgia, acknowledged the significance of this win for Harman. “I think it’s good for Harman,” he said. “It kind of puts a fire in him. He knows he’s not a favorite. I think it gives him satisfaction to show everybody that he’s one of the best players in the world.”
Harman’s triumph at the 151st Open Championship will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to perseverance and skill, defying the odds and winning over not just the tournament but the crowd’s admiration as well.