Brian Harman Returns the Claret JugBrian Harman Returns the Claret Jug Troon, Scotland – In a traditional ceremony at the Royal Troon Golf Club, defending British Open champion Brian Harman returned the famous claret jug to Martin Slumbers, the R&A CEO. Harman won the trophy last year with a six-stroke victory at Royal Liverpool. Pomp and Circumstance The formal handover was a solemn affair, reflecting the prestige of the trophy, which has been awarded to the Open champion since 1872. Harman spoke of the “coolest trophy in all of sports,” deserving of the pomp and circumstance surrounding its presentation. No Repeat Winners in Sight No player has won back-to-back British Opens since Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008. In fact, only Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, and Arnold Palmer have achieved this feat since 1960. A Year to Remember Despite not winning since his Open triumph, Harman has cherished his time with the claret jug. He took it to sporting events and shared its significance with his loved ones. Looking Ahead The 152nd Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Troon, a challenging links course known for its pot bunkers and varying wind conditions. Harman hopes to reclaim the trophy but acknowledges the difficulty of his task. Other Notables Tiger Woods arrived on Sunday and played 18 holes, spending time chipping and putting. Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele engaged in a friendly golf match, with Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay also participating. Robert MacIntyre, the Scottish Open winner, celebrated his victory and is expected to contend at Royal Troon.
Brian Harman speaks during a press conference in the media tent for the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland on Monday.
AP
TROON, Scotland — Of all the recent traditions in the Royal & Ancient game, what Brian Harman did Monday afternoon may be the least fun.
Return the wine jug.
The formal presentation of the British Open trophy required a bit of pomp and circumstance. Harman was in the backseat of an SUV. The destination was not much further than the 40-foot birdie putt he made on the 14th hole last year en route to winning the Open. But he had to wait until the film crew was finished and the traffic on the road had cleared.
“It’s all yours,” Harman told Martin Slumbers, the R&A CEO, who took back the oldest golf trophy, which has apparently yielded some of the best wine and bourbon since Harman won it at Royal Liverpool.
Harman is a straight-shooter – with a gun, with his mouth and last year with his putter – but a staged moment, because this didn’t bother him.
“I think it’s the coolest trophy in all of sports,” Harman said. “So I think it deserves all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it.”
The real challenge is to get it back before the end of the week.
The homecoming of the claret jug was an unofficial way to kick off the final men’s major of the year. The 152nd Open Championship begins Thursday on the Scottish links along the Firth of Clyde on the Irish Sea.
Royal Troon is known for its pot bunkers which are so deep that they effectively serve as a one-shot penalty when tees hit them on the longer holes. The outward holes are shorter with the prevailing wind, the inward holes are longer and into the wind.
“You have to compete against them,” Scottie Scheffler said.
Harman had gone six years without a win until last year when he pulled off a masterpiece to lead the final 51 holes and win by six points. He hasn’t won since, so it’s a matter of getting his putter to cooperate. He hopes that’s the case this week.
“You can work and work and work. You just never know when that work is going to pay off,” Harman said. “You never know when the peak is going to come. You never know when you’re going to get a little bit of momentum. So you just have to hope that it’s going to be a big week.”
No one has won the British Open back-to-back since Padraig Harrington in 2007 (Carnoustie) and 2008 (Royal Birkdale). Go back to 1960 and the list of repeat winners includes only Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer.
“A little sad to give it back, but I’ll always remember wherever it’s been,” Harman said. “I’m happy to give it back, happy to be here. Ready to go.”
Royal Troon is green and lush, and the rough is particularly thick at the base of the peat. This is unlikely to be a bright and sunny week on the Ayrshire coast, and the links have been busy.
Woods arrived Sunday and went 18 holes, spending much of his time chipping and putting. His son Charlie is not in the game, but is home preparing for the U.S. Junior Amateur next week outside Detroit.
Scheffler got right into the race and teamed up with Sam Burns, winning some money from PGA champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.
After handing over the jug, Harman went to Royal Troon for the first time. Monday was mainly a day of reflection and he was eager to move on.
But it was a good year, even without another win. He took the pitcher to Georgia Bulldogs football and Atlanta Braves baseball games. He took it everywhere he could, a reminder of reaching the top of his sport.
“You never know how it’s going to go, but just the reception from everyone at home was overwhelming, just how excited everyone was,” he said. “I was obviously very excited, but to be able to share that excitement with people that I love was probably the best part.”
Harman was among players who came across the coast from last week’s Scottish Open, a list that included Robert MacIntyre, although his immediate whereabouts could not be confirmed. MacIntyre won the Scottish with an eagle-par-birdie finish and vowed to “celebrate hard” as the first Scot to win his domestic Open in 25 years.
He had a press conference scheduled for Monday afternoon. It was moved to Wednesday afternoon. That was a big victory for him. Now there’s an even bigger one.
The 18th green of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
(AP photo/Peter Morrison)
Tiger Woods of the United States hits a chip on the 6th green during a practice round for the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Monday, July 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
(AP photo/Peter Morrison)
