Brian Harman wins rain-soaked Open as Rahm and McIlroy fail to catch American

23 July 2023 , 17:19

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Brian Harman secured The Open title (Image: Getty Images)

Brian Harman fended off the likes of Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day to be crowned Open champion at Royal Liverpool. Harman emerged as the man to catch throughout the week after taking the 36-hole lead on Friday.

He maintained his advantage following Saturday’s third round, and headed into championship Sunday with a five-shot lead over fellow countryman Cameron Young. And despite a tricky start, Harman held his nerve to get his hands on the Claret Jug after carding 13-under-par across the four days.

It was a nervy start for the American, who bogeyed two of his opening five holes. His staggered start opened the door to chasing pack, especially Jon Rahm who birdied the fifth to move within three shots of the leader. Despite having a player like Rahm breathing down his neck, Harman was quick to bounce back.

The key to his success all week had been his brilliance with his putter and that showed once more, as he carded back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh to reinstate his five-shot lead. Five pars then followed for the American star, but with those in the chasing pack failing to do better, he continued to edge ever closer to his maiden major crown.

A blip then came at the par three 13th in the way of a bogey, but as he had done all week, Harman responded with brilliance. Similar to his bounce back on the front nine, Harman followed his bogey with a remarkable 40-foot birdie putt at the par-four 14th, before adding another at the par-five 15th moments later.

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Brian Harman secured his first ever major championship (Getty Images)

Even with a six-shot lead, much had been said about the dangers of the par-three 17th at Hoylake, but this did not faze Harman. Standing in the pouring Merseyside rain, the American hit his tee shot to perfection, finding the centre of the green and leaving him yet another chance of birdie.

A two-putt par would follow, keeping his six-shot lead intact as he made his way to the 72nd, and final hole of the week. He found the greenside bunker on the 18th but a fine bunker shot ensured he got up and down for par and capped off his memorable win.

The win is his first win in six years since the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship, making it 167 tournaments without a win until his incredible major triumph.

Joshua Lees