Strong and steady over the most pressure-packed 36 holes of his career, Brian Harman trusted his TSi2 driver, 620 CB irons, Vokey Design wedges and Pro V1 ball to a historic six-shot victory in the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
Harman raced out to an early five-shot lead through two rounds, following a Friday 6-under 65 – featuring consecutive birdies from 2-5 and a closing eagle on 18 – that was 8.45 shots better than the day’s scoring average (the week’s single largest differential).
From the final group, he played his next 36 holes in 3 under par (69, 70), including a 2-under performance over his last five holes Sunday to claim the Claret Jug.
The 36-year-old former US Junior Champion is the first player to lead The Open by 5-plus shots after rounds 2, 3 and 4 since 1934.
“I’m over the moon. It was a tough last three days, really was,” Harman said. “Being able to get some sleep was big last night. Sleeping on a lead like that is really difficult, so glad of the way I hung in there the last couple days.”
With the win, Harman moved to a career high 10th in the world ranking, sixth in the FedEx Cup points list, and third in the US Ryder Cup standings.
Faced with swirling winds, pounding rain and major pressure, Harman lead the field in driving accuracy with 75 percent of fairways hit for the week (42 of 56). Harman, who uses Titliest’s TSi2 driver, hit 12 of those fairways Sunday, which tied for 1st. For the week, he gained more than three shots on the field off the tee (+3.26), despite ranking 144th on the PGA TOUR in Driving Distance.
Said Harman on his TSi2 driver: “It’s been an awesome driver, man. Put it right in the bag right when it came out and it’s hot, it’s fast, it’s high. I can do whatever I want with. It’s great.”
Harman was also unflappable from tee to green at Royal Liverpool, making just six bogeys the entire week. When he missed the green, he got up-and-down 75% of the time (18 of 24), most often with his Vokey Design 60.04L lob wedge.
The L Grind is the lowest bounce option in the Vokey line up. The heel, toe and trailing edge relief allow for maximum greenside versatility. This grind is perfect for firm conditions and designed for precise players who have complete control at impact, allowing for maximum shot-making versatility. Around the green, Harman gained 1.44 shots on the field.
“The 60° needs to be super versatile, and it’s great out of the bunkers. I use it mostly out of the rough and any sort of chipping around the green,” Harman said.
BRIAN HARMAN’S TITLEIST EQUIPMENT
DRIVER: Titleist TSi2 (9°), with Graphite Design Tour AD IZ 5 S shaft
FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist TS2 (13.5°), with Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution 2 S shaft
IRONS: Titleist U•500 (3-5), with Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 90HY 6.0 shafts, Titleist 620 CB (6-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50°, 54°, 60°)
BALL: Titleist Pro V1