Brian Harman wins Open Championship by six shots at rainy Hoylake

American Brian Harman survived an early scare to claim his first major title in dominant fashion on a rain-soaked final day of the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Harman’s five-shot overnight lead was briefly cut to three as he covered the first five holes in two over par in miserable conditions, but the 36-year-old responded superbly to regain his vice-like grip on the Claret Jug.

After his win, Harman said: "I have thought about this my whole life and to be an Open champion is incredible.

"I doubled down on my process and I know it's boring and it is not flashy. But, until hitting that last bunker shot, I have not thought about winning the tournament.

"I've got to thank my wife and family back home. I sure miss them. I can't wait to get back to them tomorrow.

"This golf course was a real test. It was set up so great, even with the weather. To the superintendent and everyone who helped put it together, thank you so much – the course was excellent."

His victory was made possible by a stunning 65 on Friday – the joint-lowest score in a Hoylake Open until Jon Rahm’s Saturday 63 – was sealed with gritty rounds of 69 and 70 for a total of 13 under par and six-shot win over Rahm, Jason Day, Sepp Straka and Tom Kim.

Rory McIlroy and Emiliano Grillo finished another stroke back, with home favourite Tommy Fleetwood and Royal Liverpool member Matthew Jordan in a tie for 10th.

The Champion Golfer of the Year. pic.twitter.com/wAFKiddk0e

Harman, who is just the third left-hander to win the Open after Bob Charles (1963) and Phil Mickelson (2013), last tasted victory on the PGA Tour in 2017, the same year in which he led by one after 54 holes of the US Open before finishing second to Brooks Koepka.

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