Brian Harman starts his British Open title defense by returning the claret jug
Brian Harman had to say goodbye to an old friend
By DOUG FERGUSON
Published - Jul 15, 2024, 01:39 PM ET
Last Updated - Jul 15, 2024, 01:39 PM EDT
TROON, Scotland (AP) — Of all the recent traditions in the Royal & Ancient game, what Brian Harman took part in on Monday afternoon might be the least enjoyable.
Returning the claret jug.
The formal handover of the British Open trophy required a little pomp. Harman was in the back seat of an SUV. The destination was not much longer than the 40-foot birdie putt he made last year on the 14th hole on his way to winning the Open. But he had to wait for the film crew to be set, for the traffic on the road to clear.
“It's all yours,” Harman told Martin Slumbers, the R&A CEO who took back golf's oldest trophy that apparently has seen its share of the finest wine and bourbon in the year since Harman won at Royal Liverpool.
