The post Brian Harman seals the deal | Inside Day 7 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Brian Harman seals the deal | Inside Day 7 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Nick Faldo, Mike Tirico and an odd local rule | Inside Day 2 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Liverpool locals shine, Jon Rahm vents his frustration | Inside Day 4 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: A controversial change and a surprise leader | Inside Day 5 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Jon Rahm’s charge and Brian Harman’s rise | Inside Day 6 at the Open Championship

After Jon Rahm launched himself into contention with a tournament-low round of 63 on Saturday, he was satisfied that he had given himself a chance. But if he wanted to be the player who would lift the claret jug on Sunday, he was going to need a bit of help from Brian Harman, who held a five-shot lead when play began on the Open Championship’s final day.

That assist never materialized, for Rahm, or anyone else.

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Instead, Harman held fast, grinding through a day of steady rain to a round of one-under 70 that included four birdies and three bogeys.

The tournament was never really in doubt, as Harman displayed grit and control throughout.

Even Rahm conceded that there was nothing anyone could do. Harman ultimately prevailed with a six-shot margin for his first major championship.

“I’ve always had a self-belief that I could do something like this,” Harman said after his round. “To come out and put a performance like that together, start to finish, I just had a lot of control. I don’t know why this week, but I’m very thankful that it was this week.”

A fitting end to a big week at Royal Liverpool, and the 2023 major championship season. Check out the full, behind-the-scenes video of Sunday’s action with GOLF’s onsite writers above.

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The post Jon Rahm’s charge and Brian Harman’s rise | Inside Day 6 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Jon Rahm’s charge and Brian Harman’s rise | Inside Day 6 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Nick Faldo, Mike Tirico and an odd local rule | Inside Day 2 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Liverpool locals shine, Jon Rahm vents his frustration | Inside Day 4 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: A controversial change and a surprise leader | Inside Day 5 at the Open Championship

Moving Day at majors is always exciting. With the cut made and only the most in-form players sticking around for the weekend, quality golf is expected. And for players looking to make a run at the title, the third round is all the more important.

At this year’s Open Championship, GOLF.com’s on-site crew got an inside look at Moving Day at Royal Liverpool.

They didn’t have to wait long to see some fireworks. After making the cut by a single stroke, Jon Rahm came out firing early at Hoylake, making eight birdies en route to a 63.

“I’ve done what I needed,” Rahm said. “Which is give myself an opportunity.”

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To get within striking distance of Brian Harman, though, he needed some help from the leader. Through four holes, it looked as though that help might come — but then, Harman steadied the ship.

After starting two over through his first four, Harman made four birdies and zero bogeys for the remainder of the round to rebuild his lead to five heading into Sunday.

But despite the impressive performance, the English crowds did not exactly shower him with praise. With European darlings like Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy in chase, the crowds all but begged Harman to stumble.

“There’s more to Brian Harman than we know, and I think he likes it that way,” GOLF.com’s Dylan Dethier said. “The problem is that we don’t know enough about Brian Harman to know that we want to know more, so I guess that’s our job.”

As the sun set over Royal Liverpool Saturday evening, the stage was set for an epic final day at the Open Championship.

You can check out the full video of Saturday’s action at the top of this post.

The post Jon Rahm’s charge and Brian Harman’s rise | Inside Day 6 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post A controversial change and a surprise leader | Inside Day 5 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post A controversial change and a surprise leader | Inside Day 5 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Nick Faldo, Mike Tirico and an odd local rule | Inside Day 2 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Liverpool locals shine, Jon Rahm vents his frustration | Inside Day 4 at the Open Championship

***

Friday at the 151st Open Championship was another MASSIVE day of golf with players going from dawn to dusk to play the second round and complete the 36-hole cut.

By far the toughest challenge of Royal Liverpool in Round 1 was the deep and penal pot bunkers that dot the course. For the Open Championship, the R&A had raked the bottoms flat, so balls would fall along the edge and stay there, forcing players to play sideways, backward or even putt to the center just to get out.

Friday, the R&A called an audible and raked up the sand higher along the edges so balls would roll toward the center. The sudden about-face after just one round caught GOLF’s on-site team by surprise.

“I get almost more than anything else, pot bunkers are hazards, and I actually enjoy playing courses like this because they’re hazards and because you’ve got to be more strategic and think more off the tee,” said Richie Ramsay who had to play out backward of a bunker on 16 and took to get out of one on 18. “It’s difficult because now you’ve got two just shockers, really. I don’t know if that’s an anomaly or I don’t know if that’s something that’s a regular occurrence.”

Not only that change but the coffee table in the media center was moved overnight, causing our James Colgan to wonder if the R&A had “lost the media center” too.

But back to the golf, some players are heading home early, including Justin Thomas. The 2022 PGA winner shot 82-71 to miss his third cut a major this season, putting his spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team in jeopardy.

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“I want to make the Ryder Cup more than anything. I’m probably honestly trying too hard to do it. It reminds me a lot of my first or second year on Tour,” Thomas said. “I’ve tried so hard to make that team for the first time. I’m in a very similar position.”

But on the other side of the leaderboard, the biggest story of the day was also one of the earliest as Brian Harman shot a stunning six-under 65 to open up a five-shot lead at 10 under that would hold the entire afternoon.

Our Dylan Dethier says to expect some “leaderboard gravity” where Harman comes back to the field. That would bring in a number of chasers, like Jordan Spieth who is eight back, and Tommy Fleetwood, who’s playing a home game this week. Fleetwood is in solo second heading into the weekend at five under.

“[Harman is] a long way in front. Of course, there’s a long way to go, but still, for myself and everybody else playing, it’s just do your thing, play one shot at a time,” Fleetwood said. “We don’t know what the conditions are going to bring, and you just have to keep playing until it’s over and see where you finish.”

Check out the entire video above to catch up on the GOLF staff’s day at Royal Liverpool on Friday, and follow along every day this week for more behind-the-scenes action from the 2023 Open Championship.

The post A controversial change and a surprise leader | Inside Day 5 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

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ICYMI: John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: Nick Faldo, Mike Tirico and an odd local rule | Inside Day 2 at the Open Championship
ICYMI: The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship

***

On Thursday at Royal Liverpool, the action finally began, and all the hype — especially for tournament favorite Rory McIlroy, who has expectations soaring after a rousing victory at last week’s Scottish Open — could finally be put to the test.

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As always, multiple storylines abound. GOLF staffer James Colgan shared that he was looking for something surprising. Could it be Liverpool local Matthew Jordan? The young amateur posted an impressive round of two under on Thursday, while another local hero, Tommy Fleetwood, launched himself to the first page of the leaderboard with an opening five-under 66.

Reigning Masters champ Jon Rahm is another favorite this week, grouped alongside McIlroy and Justin Rose. The star-studded trio was understandably in demand throughout their first round, followed by fans, cameras and mics aplenty. Rahm, who posted a first round of three-over 74, aired his frustration with the crowd during his post-round press conference.

“I’m trying to walk, and there’s way too many people on my way and I can’t go forward at my pace,” he said. “It’s just kind of a disregard that I existed.”

Proof that there’s a lot more that players must contend with at the Open than simply the course itself.

Check out the entire video above to catch up on the GOLF staff’s day at Royal Liverpool on Thursday, and follow along every day this week for more behind-the-scenes action from the 2023 Open Championship.

The post Liverpool locals shine, Jon Rahm vents his frustration | Inside Day 4 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship

Nick Faldo, Mike Tirico and an odd local rule | Inside Day 2 at the Open Championship

***

On Wednesday at Royal Liverpool, the players’ preparations were in full swing, the fans were brimming with excitement as they enjoyed Open Eve in person and our GOLF.com team was on the ground to take it all in.

After a brief conversation debating the winning score-to-par while walking to the course (“My prediction is that 16 under is going to win again, the same score Rory shot [in 2014]” – Sean Zak), the team headed to the practice green to watch Justin Thomas put in some work, while debating the merits of Thomas’ hoodie and the garment’s place in the game.

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James Colgan joined the crew at the practice green to watch Tommy Fleetwood and contemplate whether home-field advantage for the English star, who grew up near Royal Liverpool, is a positive or negative going into this year’s Open.

“It would be really, really silly to not go out with the aim to enjoy it and embrace it and see what you can do out there,” Fleetwood said at his Wednesday press conference. “I would like to play well, I’ll be disappointed, and I’ll be upset if I don’t, but you also have to realize that there are certain things about the week that are very special and focus on them as well.”

But the action was happening all over the sunny Royal Liverpool property on Wednesday, so our crew took to the course to get a lay of the land and watch pros make their final prep.

Rory McIlroy could be seen trying (and failing) to escape one of the course’s devilish pot bunkers, whose faces were altered to make them even more difficult this week, as Zak explained.

Seamus Power answered a few questions from gathered media, explaining how watching friend and fellow Irishman Shane Lowry win the Open has given him the confidence that he can lift the Claret Jug this week.

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Josh Berhow took a stroll across the course to discuss the Village Play at Royal Liverpool, an Artisans Club for which locals trade their labor for tee-time privileges at the storied course.

Dylan Dethier explained the story of the new Tiger, aka Tiger Christensen, the 19-year-old German in the field who was named “50-50” for Tiger Woods and a friend of Christensen’s dad.

The crew then surveyed the fans in attendance on the final preview day, trying to find out who they thought would win the Open this week.

The answers were varied, from local favorite Matthew Jordan and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, to American Brooks Koepka and defending champion Cam Smith. But there was one name the people of Hoylake identified more than any other as the player they think and hope will win: world No. 3 Rory McIlroy.

To close out the day, our team heads back to the media center where they make their own final predictions for who will win this week.

Check out the entire video above to see who they think will take home the $3 million winner’s prize on Sunday.

The post The new ‘Tiger’, players’ final prep and fan predictions | Inside Day 3 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Nick Faldo, Mike Tirico and an odd local rule | Inside Day 2 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

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ICYMI: John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship

***

All of the GOLF.com on-site crew has officially arrived in Hoylake and they’re hitting the ground running.

After a day of getting their bearings at the host of this year’s Open Championship, Day 2 at Royal Liverpool was one of exploration. Even amid a busy day of press conferences, the abroad team made sure they got out of the media center (centre?) to check out all the sights and sounds Hoylake has to offer.

James Colgan, GOLF.com’s resident media insider, shared that Nick Faldo would be back in the booth calling the action this week. And, coincidentally, the crew ran into Sir Nick on their walk to the course.

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“Basically, he’s just kind of obsessed with working,” James says. “Came back out of retirement for this.”

That’s not the only famous media run-in the team had on the day, though. Once they got through the gates, James ran into NBC broadcaster and fellow Syracuse alum Mike Tirico, who gave some insight on what to expect from the course this week.

“It’s a lot greener than it was in 2006,” Tirico says. “If you go back and watch the [Tiger] Woods highlights in ’06, it has a brown [look]. One gentleman who used to be the head of the R&A would refer to it as ‘biscuit brown.’ You think of a biscuit over here, that color defines links golf in a warm summer. They’ve had a lot of rain here and it has not been that warm. This is the one spot in the world that has not had record-breaking heat in the summer … It was more like this in ’14, but not even this green.”

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The lush conditions are sure to be welcome for the players who won’t have to navigate the baked-out conditions of yesteryear, but that doesn’t mean things will be easy. Especially with the interesting local rule the R&A will implement this week as it pertains to out of bounds.

On the 18th hole, there is internal out of bounds all along the right side of the fairway. The hole might look wide open and playable, but with the threat of a stroke-and-distance penalty with any loose shot, it becomes a knee-knocker.

“Very very nervy,” senior editor Sean Zak says. “That’s one of the key things about Hoylake.”

Come Sunday, it very well could help decide who hoists the Claret Jug.

Check out the entire Day 2 recap from Hoylake in the video above.

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The post John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

There’s just something unique about traveling abroad, isn’t there? Whether it’s taking in the different culture, adapting to a unfamiliar pace of life, or simply just enjoying local grub that isn’t available in the States, anytime you get the chance to cross the pond, it’s special.

And it’s no different for our onsite crew at this week’s Open Championship from Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Before the madness begins and the real pros tee it up, GOLF’s Sean Zak and James Colgan got an experience that’ll last a lifetime. No, I’m not referring to the torrential downpour that greeted them before a round at Allerton Manor Golf Club, but the opportunity to play the very course that Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney grew up near.

Tournaments

“We checked in, and the pro shop attendant said, ‘there are no other idiots on the golf course today,’ which I think implies that we would be idiots,” Zak says. “But, look, it’s our only day in Liverpool.”

The boys didn’t seem to mind the soggy conditions.

Despite standing water on the greens and plenty of Beatles-themed knee-slappers from Colgan, the round was a success — especially with the view of Lennon’s childhood house from one of the tee boxes, which was a mere pitching wedge away.

Given the venue and the history of this week’s Open Championship, even players like Rory McIlroy are showing some love for the Beatles, with the four-time major champ rocking some custom kicks while getting in some practice.

After the round, Zak and Colgan discovered what else Liverpool has to offer, taking in some of the sights and sounds and interacting with some of the locals.

If you’re in need of travel suggestions, Zak appears to be a pro by now after spending the summer in the UK, and shows off his favorite bakery in town, Thoughtfully Cafe.

Instruction

With their bellies full and another day of golf ahead, the boys make their way to Hoylake with a few other GOLF staffers, Dylan Dethier and Josh Berhow, teeing it up at nearby West Lancashire, which recently hosted a qualifying event for this year’s Open Championship.

The links golf course was a true beauty, with the gents launching it with their drivers and playing strategically around the greens.

In the end, though, Monday from the Open Championship was about reconnecting with buddies and enjoying a true links course.

Links golf, man, nothing beats it.

You can catch a recap of the the GOLF crew’s highlights from the first day of the Open Championship in the video above. Thanks for watching! We’ll be back with more Seen & Heard from Royal Liverpool all week long — so be sure to follow along!

The post John Lennon’s house and a round at West Lancashire | Inside Day 1 at the Open Championship appeared first on Golf.

The post Wyndham’s triumph, Rickie’s enduring sportsmanship | Inside Day 7 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Wyndham’s triumph, Rickie’s enduring sportsmanship | Inside Day 7 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: More questions than answers, Scottie tries a new Scotty | Inside Day 1 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Homa’s reaction, LACC’s quirks, Reggie Bush’s pick to win | Inside Day 2 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Phil Mickelson arrives, Jon Rahm gets a chipping lesson | Inside Day 3 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Record-setting rounds, Stefan Schauffele’s prediction | Inside Day 4 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Behind the scenes with Rickie, Rory and Wyndham | Inside Day 6 at the U.S. Open

***

As the final-round contenders prepared for their afternoon tee times, GOLF’s Sean Zak made a prophetic call as Wyndham Clark warmed up in relative isolation on the putting green.

“People forget [Clark] has actually been one of the 15 best golfers this year,” Zak said. “He could totally fall and live up to everyone’s expectations. Or he could rise, and like, freak us all out. What is Wyndham Clark actually capable of?”

Turns out: an epic, U.S. Open-winning performance.

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“I feel like I belong on this stage,” Clark said in the aftermath of his one-shot triumph over Rory McIlroy. “Even two, three years ago when people didn’t know who I was, I felt like I could still play and compete against the best players in the world. And I feel like I’ve been on a great trajectory to get to this place.”

Rickie Fowler, who led or co-led the championship for all three rounds, showcased his enduring sportsmanship yet again, as he congratulated Clark and stuck around to sign autographs in the dark after suffering yet another close call in a major championship.

U.S. Open golf, man. There’s truly nothing like it.

LACC delivered an incredible week, and if you loved what you saw, get excited: The U.S. Open returns to LA in 2039!

You can catch a recap of the the GOLF crew’s highlights from the final round of the U.S. Open in the video above. Thanks for watching! We’ll be back with more Seen & Heard from the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

The post Wyndham’s triumph, Rickie’s enduring sportsmanship | Inside Day 7 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Behind the scenes with Rickie, Rory and Wyndham | Inside Day 6 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post Behind the scenes with Rickie, Rory and Wyndham | Inside Day 6 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: More questions than answers, Scottie tries a new Scotty | Inside Day 1 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Homa’s reaction, LACC’s quirks, Reggie Bush’s pick to win | Inside Day 2 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Phil Mickelson arrives, Jon Rahm gets a chipping lesson | Inside Day 3 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Record-setting rounds, Stefan Schauffele’s prediction | Inside Day 4 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open

***

“This is the best I’ve felt ever in my career,” Rickie Fowler said after his round on Saturday. “Tomorrow’s a whole new day, and that’s kinda when the tournament really starts.”

Wise words from the 34-year-old, who is chasing his firs major championship after so many close calls.

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It’s down to the wire in Los Angeles, where, barring a miraculous round from behind, the leaderboard has compressed to produce just a handful of viable candidates to lift the trophy on Sunday night.

Co-leader Wyndham Clark is, like Fowler, also seeking his maiden major.

“I feel like my best round is still out there,” he said. “Hopefully it’s my day.”

The U.S. Open has long enjoyed a reputation as golf’s toughest test. Sunday’s round will be a physical and mental challenge like no other.

Who will come away as victor?

We can’t wait to watch.

Catch a recap of the the GOLF crew’s highlights from the third round at LACC in the video above. And make sure to tune in tomorrow for the team’s final dispatch from the 2023 U.S. Open.

The post Behind the scenes with Rickie, Rory and Wyndham | Inside Day 6 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

The post LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.

ICYMI: More questions than answers, Scottie tries a new Scotty | Inside Day 1 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Homa’s reaction, LACC’s quirks, Reggie Bush’s pick to win | Inside Day 2 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Phil Mickelson arrives, Jon Rahm gets a chipping lesson | Inside Day 3 at the U.S. Open
ICYMI: Record-setting rounds, Stefan Schauffele’s prediction | Inside Day 4 at the U.S. Open

***

As the U.S. Open reached the halfway point, the championship’s primary storylines began to come into focus. And Los Angeles Country Club itself continues to be at top of mind. After yielding two record-setting scores on Thursday, it played very differently on Friday. What will the weekend bring?

“[USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer] said last night if someone shoots 20 under, he has not done his job,” our Dylan Dethier said.

Game on!

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Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler solidified their positions at the top of the leaderboard with solid rounds on Friday. But both players know it will be an uphill battle if they want to claim the U.S. Open trophy on Sunday.

“I’ve been trying and I’ve come close over the past nine years or whatever it is, and I keep coming back,” McIlroy said. “And whether that means that I get rewarded or I get punched in the gut or whatever it is, I’ll always keep coming back.”

While both players have an enormous contingent of fans, there’s at least one VIP who will be pulling for Fowler this weekend.

Boston Celtics center Blake Griffin was on-site on Friday to support friends Max Homa, Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa. But as far as a rooting interest?

“I’d love to see Rickie win,” he said.

With a weekend of uncertainty looming, one thing’s for sure: You aren’t going to want to miss one second of the action.

Catch a recap of the the GOLF crew’s highlights from the second round at LACC in the video above. And make sure to tune in every day this week for more exclusive content from the 2023 U.S. Open.

The post LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open appeared first on Golf.