Brian Harman reveals NASTY COMMENT from golf fan that fuelled him to Open win
Brian Harman was heckled all week at The Open but one comment from a golf fan on Saturday fuelled him to lift the Claret Jug.
Brian Harman has revealed the nasty comment from a golf fan in the third round that fuelled him to etch his name on the famous Claret Jug at the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
Harman, 36, was heckled for the majority of the week, especially on Saturday when paired with home favourite Tommy Fleetwood in the final match.
The American saw his five-stroke lead heading into the weekend whittled down to just two strokes after the 4th hole in the third round.
It was after Harman's second bogey of the round when he overheard a comment from one spectator behind the ropes.
Only it was a comment that helped him stay focused and bounce back to card a round of 69 and maintain his five-stroke lead heading into Sunday.
HARMAN REVEALS NASTY COMMENT:
Brian Harman was heckled all week, but one comment helped him stay focused after making bogey yesterday:
“He said Harman, you don’t have the stones for this… It just helped snap me back. I’m good enough to do this, I’m going to do this” #TheOpenpic.twitter.com/WeyUJGee5H— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 23, 2023
After winning The Open, Harman, who will now move into the world's top 20, said:
Harman once again held his nerve on Sunday with a steady round of 70.
That saw him tally 13-under par and win The Open by six strokes over Tom Kim, Jason Day, Sepp Straka and Jon Rahm.
Harman put on a tee-to-green clinic all week, especially with his putter as he ran away with the strokes-gained putting stat.
He ended up making 58 out of 59 putts inside of 10 feet, having made 44 / 44 heading into the final round.
Brian Harman may have run away with The Open, but there was nothing quick about his pre-shot routine
https://t.co/XojFtWXnVH— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) July 23, 2023
A number of golf fans took aim at Harman's slow pre-shot routine, which sees him take 12 waggles on average before pulling the trigger.
One golf fan said he counted up to 17 waggles on one of his shots.
Other golf fans have singled Harman out on social media this week for his activities outside of golf.
We'll just leave this one here:
Harman defended his "boring" style of play after etching his name on the famous Claret Jug on Sunday night.
The American told Sky Sports of his approach:
"I just doubled down on my process. I know it's boring and it's not flashy but until I hit that last bunker shot I didn't think about winning this tournament," said Harman.
Related: How much Brian Harman and others took home from the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool
Earlier in the week, one reporter told Harman one of his buddies had texted him a potential nickname: the Harmanator.
But Harman was having none of it.
"That's dreadful. Dreadfull," he said.
"You don't get to pick your own nicknames, but that one is not going to stick."
Harman will now move into the world's top 20 for the first time in his career following his maiden major title.
It is also anticipated Harman will compete in his first United States Ryder Cup team against Europe later this September in Rome, Italy.