Brian Harman claimed his maiden Major title in style at The 151st Open Championship after producing a front-running masterclass to storm to a six-shot victory.
The American left-hander went into the final round at a very wet Royal Liverpool Golf Club with a five-shot lead and suffered his only real scare when Masters Champion Jon Rahm closed to within three after just five holes on Sunday afternoon.
Harman rallied, though, firing back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh before bouncing back from his third bogey of the day on the 13th with two successive gains on the 14th and 15th to put one hand on the Claret Jug.
And he closed round with three successive pars to sign for a final-round 70 and finish the tournament on 13 under par.
Harman’s only other 54-hole lead at a Major had come at the 2017 U.S. Open Championship at Erin Hills, where he began the final day with a narrow one-stroke cushion but finished in a tie for second.
He was not to be denied this time, though, as a world-class chasing pack failed to truly threaten his commanding lead.
World Number Three Rahm, Jason Day, Tom Kim and Sepp Straka finished in a tie for second on seven under, with four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy and first-round co-leader Emiliano Grillo another shot back.
Harman said: “It’s pretty surreal. It really hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m not going to let (the Claret Jug) out of my sight for the time being.
“To win what I consider the greatest prize in golf is as good as it gets.
“I’ve got to thank my wife and family back home. I sure miss them and can’t wait to get back to them tomorrow.
“First I’m going to have me a couple of pints out of this here trophy, I believe.
“This golf course was a real test. It was set up so great even with the weather, so thanks to everyone that helped put it together.
“I want to thank the R&A for putting together such an incredible Championship. I couldn’t be happier to be its champion.”
