Open leader Brian Harman keen to end winless streak he ‘thinks about a lot’
By Matt Chivers
Brian Harman has knocked on the door in the major sphere before, and the 36-year-old is on the brink of greatness again at Royal Liverpool this week
Brian Harman assumed his first major challenge would kickstart a streak of success.
Despite failing to convert his 54-hole lead at the 2017 US Open, he sought to ride the wave and “pop off” some wins on the PGA Tour.
His failure to do this occupies his thoughts, but the 36-year-old’s refusal to quit was made clear at Hoylake as he surged into a five-shot lead at The Open’s halfway point.
“I think about it a lot, obviously. I’m around the lead a bunch,” he said. “It’s been hard to stay patient.
“I felt that after I won the tournament and had a really good chance at the US Open in 2017 that I would probably pop a few more off, and it just hasn’t happened. I’ve been right there, and it just hasn’t happened.
“I don’t know. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened, but I’m not going to quit. I’m going to stick with it and just keep after it, and hopefully, it’ll pop one day.”
Prodigious.
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2023
Brian Harman signs off with an eagle for a superb 65.
He leads by five shots. pic.twitter.com/a3u2j36SGn
His halfway total of 132 strokes matches the lowest halfway score in an Open set by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at the same venue in 2006 and 2014.
Harman’s first win on tour came at the John Deere Classic in 2014, a victory that booked his debut spot at The Open when Royal Liverpool last hosted it.
He doubled his career tally at the Wells Fargo Championship three years later, and is currently ranked cosily as the world’s 26th best player.
His pedigree in the States is proven, and after coming tied for 12th at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, Harman is beginning to find his feet in the links sphere – made evident by rounds of 67 and 65 so far.
“I love the golf over here,” he added. “I was really excited, and I think I missed four or five cuts in a row coming over here, and I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t playing well.
“Then last couple years I had some good finishes and just felt like, alright, now at least I feel like I love the golf and I’m playing decently over here.
“I was excited to come for the Scottish Open the last couple of years to try and get over and get adjusted and get ready, so I think that’s helped.”
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
