Brian Harman talks winning the 2023 Open, being called The Butcher, and joining LIV Golf

Brian Harman was the shock winner of the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool

Defending Open champion Brian Harman on embracing his nickname, upsetting the odds to win in 2023 at Hoylake, and why he turned down LIV Golf.

Brian Harman absolutely dominated the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool (aka Hoylake). He began the week a 200/1 outsider, having not won any event for more than six years, but took the lead during the second round and never looked like letting it slip. He was the only player to shoot four under-par rounds and only missed one of 60 putts from inside 10′ as he marched to a six-shot victory.

As he prepares to defend the Claret Jug, Harman talks to Garrett Johnston and explains why he “can be a problem” again this year…

Does beer taste sweeter when drunk from the Claret Jug?

Everything tastes sweeter out of the Claret Jug! They designed it as a decanter so it’s also great to drink wine out of it.

Where are some of the coolest places you’ve taken it?

I got to take it on the field at the Georgia vs Ole Miss (NCAA) football game. I also took it out to Augusta National for a weekend and that was so much fun. We’ve had a lot of fun with it.

What’s clicked for you in recent Opens, because your introduction to links golf wasn’t the strongest?

I was missing some cuts initially, but I was playing OK. It wasn’t like I was shooting 80; I was missing the cut by one shot every year.

I finally got the mix right when I got over there early, played the Scottish Open, and got a little more used to the weather. I was able to let my body adjust to all of the changes with time zones and meals. I think that’s been a really strong recipe in the last couple of years.

When did you fall in love with links golf?

The first time I played links golf, I qualified for the Palmer Cup and it was at Prestwick, and I hated links golf. It ate me to pieces. I kept trying to hit lob wedge around the greens, and the weather was bad, and I got whipped over there. I got killed. Lost all my matches. Then the next time I played links golf was at Hoylake in 2014. I won the John Deere Classic, qualified for The Open, got to play and just absolutely fell in love with it.

Before your victory last summer, you had two wins in 340 starts on Tour. Did you feel like you had underachieved?

No. I had no regrets. I always just felt like I had something else. It was certainly getting to the point of frustration, for sure. I was having plenty of chances and delivering a number of top 10s and top 20s. I was getting into position many times but just not finishing the job. It was nice to have a week that felt like a wire-to-wire at The Open, and especially in those conditions, where I played really good golf throughout.

Did you surprise yourself with the manner of your victory?

I guess I was pleasantly surprised. All of us out here on Tour feel like we’re capable of great things and having a really impressive week at any moment. Did I expect to have a five-shot lead and to be the player to catch at The Open? No, I did not, but I tried to adjust in the moment and from there I just had to manage my expectations and do the best job I could.

• Brian Harman WITB

Has the ‘Butcher of Hoylake’ name stuck?

(Laughs) I think some of the tabloids, they got a hold of that and they thought it would really bother me because I said that I butchered the animals that we kill. But for me, I saw that name and thought, “That’s awesome”. My wife and I threw a big party in September when the season was over and we made it a ‘Brian the Butcher’-themed party, so we’ve kind of run with it!

How long did it take for LIV folks to reach out to you?

There was interest there from their side for a minute and they reached out, but I love the PGA Tour. I’m really happy with where I am. I haven’t really given it much thought, to be honest.

Are you a better player now, in 2024, than you were in the summer of 2023?

Well, form is temporary. It comes and goes. I’m trying to get myself into the kind of form where I’m capable of doing something like that. At least now, I know in my mind that I am capable of winning a big Major championship. If the right things go my way then I can be a problem.

I know you missed Troon in 2016, but do you have any experience or impressions of that course?

No, I haven’t played it at all. I watched a little bit on TV in 2016 when Henrik beat Phil. I might go back and watch a little film of it before tournament week and see what I can learn about it. I’ll be excited to get over there as early as I can and check out how Troon plays for me. I love links golf and all of the challenges and creativity that come with it, so a new course like Troon should be fun for me.

About the author

Garrett Johnston – Tour Reporter

Garrett Johnston is a golf reporter and presenter focused on the tour. He has interviewed countless top-tier pros and maintains a strong rapport with tour caddies. He hosts the ‘Beyond The Clubhouse’ podcast and regularly contributes to Caddie Network and Golf.com.