American Harman cruising to British Open glory
US golfer Brian Harman lines up a putt on the 4th green on day four of the 151st British Open Golf Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake, north west England on July 23, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE
Hoylake, United Kingdom | AFP | Sunday 7/23/2023 – 23:30
Brian Harman tightened his grip on the British Open at rainswept Hoylake on Sunday, maintaining his five-shot lead at the halfway stage of his closing round.
The unheralded American, who was never won a major, recovered from a shaky start to get back to 12 under par with nine holes to play.
No player has squandered a five-shot overnight lead going into the last round of a major since Frenchman Jean van de Velde, who collapsed at the last hole of the 1999 British Open.
But the temperament of the world number 26 was tested early on the soaking Royal Liverpool course.
Harman bogeyed the second after a wayward approach failed to find the green and needed to rely on his excellent putting to save par at the third.
He was then punished for a wild tee-shot at the par-five fifth as he had to take a penalty drop and made a six.
But just as he had done during Saturday's third round, when he overcame two early bogeys to card a two-under-par 69, he quickly responded.
Back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh settled his nerves and stretched his lead as the chasing pack failed to make a move.
Austrian Sepp Straka is the surprise name in second place, moving to seven under par with seven to play.
Jon Rahm shot a course-record 63 on Saturday to get back in the hunt for his third major after a frustrating opening two rounds.
The Spaniard needed similar heroics to up the pressure on the leader, but could only make the turn at level par to join a six-strong group at six under.