Brian Harman wins The Open by six photographs as American brushes off harsh chants

Brian Harman has secured the primary main of his profession with a dominating win at The Open, holding off the likes of Sepp Straka, Tom Kim, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy. This yr’s Open Championships had been all the time going to supply difficult situations for all gamers with sturdy winds and overcast climate forecast for the weekend.

Harman, who’s making a late push for the 2023 American Ryder Cup crew, began the week off sturdy with a spherical of 67 to place him one off the lead. Tommy Fleetwood seemed to be in competition after the primary spherical as he was a part of the three-man group topping the leaderboard.

But Friday was the place Harman put daylight between himself and the remainder of the sphere. The Georgia Bulldog wracked up 4 consecutive birdies from the second to the fifth on a day the place others had been struggling to search out first rate scores.

And the American completed his spherical with a mightily spectacular eagle on 18 to place him 10-under for the event. Moving Day on Saturday noticed Harman slip up early on, giving the chasing pack hope of bringing the chief again to their sights. Going up in opposition to Fleetwood additionally meant that Harman was removed from the group favorite and he complained of hearing some ‘unrepeatable’ chants aimed at him.

But the 36-year-old recovered expertly to complete the day two-under par, giving himself a five-shot lead heading into the ultimate spherical. Only eight gamers during the last 4 many years have led by extra photographs than that throughout all 4 majors.

History was additionally on his aspect as solely six gamers have led by 5 or extra photographs after 54 holes and gone on to lose the event. But very similar to Saturday, Harman had a sluggish begin with situations even worse as a result of rain on the Royal Liverpool course.

He was two-over for the day after 5 holes along with his lead decreased to only three photographs. However, Harman was capable of bounce again instantly with back-to-back birdies on holes six and 7.

With others struggling to search out any momentum to climb additional up the leaderboard, all Harman needed to do on the again 9 was navigate the ultimate few holes with none main errors. A hiccup on the difficult thirteenth was then adopted with two extra birdies to all however ease any remaining strain that was on his shoulders.

His manner failed to alter as he walked up in direction of the inexperienced on the 18th gap till the applause started with Harman elevating his hat to acknowledge the assist. One extra shot out the bunker was wanted to be navigated, however no points as he splashed it to inside 10 toes with Harman letting out an enormous sigh of reduction.

And he gave out an enormous fist pump when he dropped his par putt into the cup, main to large roars from the stands.