HOYLAKE, England: Unflappable American Brian Harman romped to a six-stroke victory in the British Open as he held a high-calibre chasing pack at bay on the greatest day of his career at rain-drenched Royal Liverpool on Sunday.
The 36-year-old PGA Tour stalwart, an avid hunter back home in Georgia, offered hope for those wanting a thrilling conclusion to the 151st championship with a few early errors.
But the left-hander proved elusive prey for his bedraggled pursuers as he closed in on his first major, turning the final day into a procession as he plotted his way around the bunker-laden layout with a 1-under 70 for a 13-under total of 271.
Rarely has an Open been concluded in such appalling weather conditions but the diminutive Harman did not care one iota as he spurned the offer of an umbrella to be presented with the Claret Jug, rain streaming off his shaven head. “I’m looking at the forecast and then get out there and it’s like Armageddon, it was really tough,” Harman, who will celebrate back home by taking his new tractor for a ride, told reporters. “I haven’t historically done very good in the rain.