Brian Harman is one of the most super chill golfers to ever grace the fairways of Augusta National at The Masters, or any course on the planet for that matter. The gritty lefty doesn’t hit it far, doesn’t present an intimidating silhouette, yet he’s a competitive killer who stomped on everybody’s throat last year at The Open Championship, winning by six strokes at Royal Liverpool.
The reigning Champion Golfer of the Year was hoping to have another stellar showing at a major this week in his home state of Georgia. Unfortunately, the forces of the golfing universe played a trick on Harman to underscore the point of just how hard the game can be. Harman went out in a promising two-under 34, but by the time he finished his darkness-delayed first round on Friday morning, he’d tumbled to the bottom of the field with an 11-over 47 on the last nine for a round of 81.
OOF. Other than a tie for 12th in 2021, Harman has struggled at The Masters. I don’t know if he feels pressure because the tournament is in his home state or something, but for a guy who can putt the ball as well as Harman, Augusta’s table top, wicked-fast and severely-sloped greens seem tailor made for him.
It’s not some crazy long course either. Sure, those who can bomb it off the tee have somewhat of an advantage to set up shorter approach shots that can hold better on the greens. At the same time, Masters wedge play requires such precise spin control. If you’re a fraction off, you can leave yourself an impossible up-and-in for par.
Weird to say I feel bad for someone like Harman, who’s already accomplished more than anyone probably ever expected from him in the sport. Nevertheless, here I am, feeling bad for him. Thanks to The Masters’ sparse TV coverage, though, at least Harman got to have what must be one of his career low points, if not the very bottom, not widely broadcast for the world to see.
Golf Twitter had some great reactions to Harman’s plight, from grieving bettors to weekend warrior sympathizers who know all to well how easily a round can get out of hand.
Harman will be just fine going forward. He tied for second at The PLAYERS Championship. Although this will be his second missed cut in three starts, I’m confident Harman is going to be a factor at the U.S. Open and in defending the Claret Jug later this year. That calm, cool, collected demeanor he carries around makes him built for adversity like this. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself, because I find it hard not to root for him.
Can’t help but think of the question Harman’s playing companion, Brooks Koepka, fielded before the tournament teed off in the aftermath of all this.
