Open leader Harman heckled with 'unrepeatable' comments despite fine display

23 July 2023 , 12:25

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Brian Harman was heckled during the third round (Image: PA)

Brian Harman has admitted he was subject to 'unrepeatable' heckling during the third round of the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool on Saturday.

Harman has proved to be the man to catch on the Wirral this week, and heads into Sunday's final round with a five-shot lead over fellow American Cameron Young. Having began moving day four clear of the rest of the field, the 36-year-old solidified his place at the top with an impressive third round performance.

Despite a rocky start where he bogeyed two of his opening four holes, the championship leader steadied his nerves and carded four birdies throughout the rest of his round to ensure he headed into Sunday with another comfortable buffer.

It appears not everybody has been left impressed by Harman's fine display, though, after the American revealed he was verbally abused by the Hoylake crowd.

Speaking in his post-round press conference on Saturday evening, the leader said: "You know, I'd be lying if I didn't hear some things that weren't super nice today towards me. I hear them, but at the same time, I don't try to let that influence the decision I'm about to make."

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Pressed further on what Harman heard, the American claimed it was not for others, describing the abuse as 'unrepeatable'. Harman is not the first star to be heckled this week, after a fan verbally abused Rickie Fowler following his decision to not invest in Leeds United as part of the 49ers Enterprises takeover deal.

The motive behind the crowd hostilities towards Harman remains unknown, but there is no doubt the galleries were pulling more for his playing partner, local star Tommy Fleetwood.

Harman revealed he is a good friend of Fleetwood's having competed alongside the Englishman for some time on the PGA Tour, and was therefore pleased to see the home crowd cheering him on. "Tommy and I have been friends for a long time," he added.

Brian Harman is the man leading The Open (Getty Images)

"I knew he was from around here, so I'm not saying I was totally prepared for it, but I knew that he would have a lot of support. It's nice to see so many fervor-ish fans for Mr. Tommy." Harman will not mind one bit about his support being in the minority though, as he has one hand on the Claret Jug with 18 holes to play.

While there is still the small task of the final round of the Open to go, Harman admitted he had already envisioned what it would be like to get his hands on golf's most famous trophy. "You'd be foolish not to envision [winning The Open], and I've thought about winning majors for my whole entire life," Harman said.

"It's the whole reason I work as hard as I do and why I practise as much as I do and why I sacrifice as much as I do. Tomorrow if that's going to come to fruition for me, it has to be all about the golf. It has to be execution and just staying in the moment."

Joshua Lees