July 20, 2023; Hoylake, England, GBR; Brian Harman plays a shot onto the 17th green during the first round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Liverpool. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports The Claret Jug had been in Brian Harman’s possession since last July when he won The Open Championship, and on Monday, he handed it back to allow it to be polished up for its next owner.
And while he no longer has the Cup, he certainly has the memories as he prepares to defend his title at the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in Scotland.
“It’s been a great year. Yeah, a little sad to give it back, but I’ll remember everywhere it’s been forever,” he said. “I’m happy to give it back, happy to be here. Ready to get going.”
And ready to try to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to defend The Open title.
Harman said his game is in good shape heading into the start of play Thursday.
“My stats this year have been really good. My ball striking has been as good as it’s ever been,” he said.
“The only thing I haven’t done well this year is I haven’t putted especially well. So I’m just kind of waiting for it all to line up correctly.”
Whether everything lines up this week remains to be seen. He won by six strokes last year at Royal Liverpool.
“You can work and work and work. You just never know when that work is going to pay off. You never know when the peak is coming. You never know when you’re going to catch a little bit of momentum. So you just have to hope it’s a big week,” he said.
“You never really know when it’s coming. Like I said, I’ve worked really hard, and my game is in really good shape. I’m happy with what I’m going into this week.”
Harman, a 37-year-old from Georgia, has three career wins, none this year. He has three top-10 finishes in 2024.
And he isn’t willing to rest on his 2023 major win.
“Anytime that you become a major champion, it certainly elevates your status in the game, elevates the way that you’re perceived in the game,” Harman said. “I try to take all of that in stride, but at the same time understand that the golf is the most important thing, and I’ve tried to improve my golf game and get it in a place where I can maybe contend in some more majors down the road.”
–Field Level Media
