BRILLIANT BRIAN HARMAN BECOMES CHAMPION GOLFER

The left-hander from Savannah, Georgia, hit the front at Royal Liverpool on Friday morning and just never let anyone else back in on the way to lifting the Claret Jug with a six-stroke victory.

A 65 in the second round put Harman into a fiveshot lead at halfway, while equalling the Royal Liverpool record at an Open.

From there, he had to deal with early bogeys on Saturday and Sunday, major champions making their move, deteriorating weather, and above all, time.

The 36-year-old openly admitted this week that he has an active mind and struggles when he is given too much time to think about the magnitude of what is at stake.

Harman was among the most consistent players on tour, with almost no flaws to his game. But silverware just kept eluding him.

So even after a perfect Friday, when the putter worked like a dream and everything within 30 feet seemed to drop, the idea that he would see it through without a wobble seemed fanciful.