ST. SIMONS ISLAND (Ga.) — Brian Harman, formerly of the University of Georgia and a resident of St. Simons Island, had capped his season at Royal Liverpool by winning the British Open with a six-shot win, the first major title for the former University of Georgia athlete.
The feisty, left-handed golfer does not plan to make this his career highlight. Harman, who is 36 years old, said he’s not lost the will to continue to work hard to add to his resume of accomplishments that include three PGA Tour wins, his first Ryder Cup and more than $30 million in career earnings.
The No. 9 player in the world spoke at a press conference held on Tuesday, where it was announced that this week’s RSM Classic will be played at Sea Island Club. The No. 9 golfer in the world held a press conference at Sea Island Club on Tuesday, where the RSM Classic is being played this week.
Harman, who is the top-ranked player this week, hasn’t played since Oct. 1, when the Ryder Cup concluded, and hasn’t participated in a Tour stroke-play tournament since the Tour Championship. He won’t be playing again until the Sentry Tournament of Champions, which takes place in Hawaii from Jan. 4-7.
Harman, who owns a hunting preserve in rural Georgia and does all sorts of manual work on it, has hit the gym.
He regrets that the Ryder Cup interfered with his fall hunting plans, which would have taken him to the Rocky Mountains where he hunted elk using a bow.
Harman stated, “I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my place (the hunting preserve). “I’ve not done much hunting. I have done more than just hunt. I have dug ditches, gotten the water moving in the right direction, kept the place dry, kept the grass cut and tried to fix the roads. The preparation has almost been more enjoyable than the hunting itself. “My dad and my brother have done all the hunting.”
Harman is proud of his first Ryder Cup
Team USA golfers Brian Harman and Max Homa walking off the 9th hole during the second fourball round of the 44th Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Adam Cairns, USA TODAY Sports
Harman was not bothered by the fact that he didn’t get to go on his annual trip. Even if the U.S. loses, Harman said that his Ryder Cup experience in Rome at Marco Simone will be priceless.
Harman was a 2-2 player in matches, and he along with his doubles partner Max Homa gave the U.S. hope heading into the Sunday singles. They beat Sepp Straka and Shane Lawry 4-2 in the foursomes, and Tommy Fleetwood and Nicola Hojgaard by 2-1 in the fourballs.
Homa and Harman have combined to win the Ryder Cup 5-3.
He said that his expectations were exceeded. “Especially working with Max Homa who is so good at the game and so competitive, to watch him perform so well… I felt I had a front row seat to [the] supreme golfing performance.” It’s something you don’t get to do unless you are part of a team, and rooting for the guys. That was one cool aspect.
Harman, a man who is not afraid to show his emotions, was unsurprised by some of the extracurricular events, including the fight between Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava (the caddie of Patrick Cantlay).
He said, “It did not catch me by surprise because I was aware of how I felt and I knew that my team and I were equally passionate about the matter.” “These types of events are bound to occur… it’s a powder-keg.” Everyone is on full throttle and you experience this emotional rollercoaster during matches. All you want is to win the match. It’s like one small thing can make anyone agitated.”
Will Harman be able to change its major business model after winning the race?
Brian Harman poses with the Claret Jug after winning the 151st Open in Hoylake at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, England. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images.
Golf experts may have been surprised by Harman’s win in the British Open, particularly since his last victory was at the Wells Fargo Championship six years earlier. In one week he went from a journeyman PGA Tour to a major champion, achieving enduring success.
He said that being named “Champion of the Year” – as the British winner at the trophy presentation is called every year – hasn’t affected his golfing style or approach.
He said he was happy to fulfill the media and sponsor requirements. It’s just that my time management has to improve a bit. I had to compartmentalize my time and plan where I would be at specific times, while also trying to maximize what I was doing at that moment. “I don’t think of myself differently.”
Brian Harman thought about broadcasting
Brian Harman putsts on the second hole during the first round at The Masters Golf Tournament. Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network is required to credit the image.
Harman had been in a bit slump less than two month before the British Open. Harman, who tied for second place in the RSM Classic last year and finished solo second in Mexico in the year 2023, returned to the Tour, but missed the cut more than half the time in his first 15 starts, including at the Masters and PGA.
Harman says that after he failed to make the cut for The Memorial, he began thinking about other career options such as broadcasting.
His agent, Jeremy Elliott quickly squelched this idea, telling Harman that the best thing to do was go back to work and improve his game.
Harman: “He said exactly what I wanted to hear.”
Harman then took two weeks of rest and finished 43 rd in the U.S. Open. He found a new gear and finished second at the Travelers. He also tied for ninth place at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Eric Cole, who played with Harman in the Scottish Open, saw positive signs during a windy and chilly final round.
Cole praised Harman’s accuracy, tenacity and determination. “He putsts well and flies the ball very well. He hits the ball straight. The last round of the Scottish was very windy, and he had a lot of success.
“Great low shots, and a great overall game.”
Harman finished tied for fifth in the BMW Championship, his seventh top-10 of the season.
