Romp in the rain as American Harman wins Open

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. It’s just always bugged me but I was really proud of the way that I struck the ball today.

“Hats off to the fans. Damn sure I wouldn’t have been out watching golf today.”

Few of the thousands huddled under a sea of umbrellas would have tipped world No. 26 Harman to win before the tournament.

But he proved that the old adage ‘drives are for show and putts are for dough’ still applies as his magic touch on the greens kept him out of reach.

Spain’s Jon Rahm, Austria’s Sepp Straka, South Korea’s Tom Kim and Australian Jason Day were tied for a distant second place with pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy and