2023-07-23 19:21:14
Golf
Brian Harman held the shock in the last round of the British Open
The American, 26th player in the world, gleaned his first Major by winning the British Open on Sunday, on the course of Royal Liverpool and in the rain.
PostedJuly 23, 2023, 9:21 PM
Brian Harman poses with the Claret Jug – the name of the trophy awarded to the winner of the British Open.
AFP
The 36-year-old won with a six-stroke lead, finishing at thirteen under par, to edge out four of his competitors at seven under par, including Masters winner Jon Rahm of Spain.
Harman held a five-shot lead heading into the final day and battled back from a feverish start to race to victory with a final round at one under par.
He did not imitate Jean Van de Velde
Upstream of the last lap, victory was almost guaranteed to him with such a lead. Only Frenchman Jean Van de Velde squandered such an advantage heading into the final round of a Major at the 1999 British Open.
“I have to thank my wife and family back home. I can’t wait to find them tomorrow, “said the winner of the day, lifting the Claret Jug, name of the trophy in the shape of a wine carafe.
“First, I think I’m going to drink several pints out of this trophy!”
Brian Harman, winner of the US Open 2023
“First, I think I’m going to drink several pints out of this trophy!” exclaimed Harman.
The character of the 26th player in the world was tested early on at Hoylake, when his lead was briefly reduced to three strokes. Two consecutive birdies on the sixth and seventh holes allowed him to widen the gap again, while his pursuers failed to catch up.
Putting, the key to American success
Throughout the week, Harman’s putting was the key to his success.
Austria’s Josef Straka finished in the group of four golfers behind Harman, thanks to his last round at two under, which allowed him to achieve his best performance at a Major and thus increase his chances of representing Europe at the Ryder Cup later in the year.
With the same ranking, South Korean Tom Kim is also performing his best Major, while Australian Jason Day, winner of the PGA Championship in 2015, continues his return to form after years of battling a back injury.
Rahm returned a card of 63 on Saturday to get back in the race and believe in a third Major. It would have taken the Spaniard a similar prowess to put pressure on Harman, but he failed to return a better card than 70.
(AFP)
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