AUGUSTA, Ga. — Brian Harman currently sits 11 back of Rory McIlroy at the Masters, good enough for T-31. He’s made a strong comeback to get there, but he’s completely out of the tournament. Yet, somehow, he’s still living rent-free in all of Europe’s head.
Harman, who opened the week with a 79 on the most difficult day at Augusta National so far this week, has climbed back with rounds of 69 and 67, giving himself a semi-legitimate chance to make a run at his career-best result in this event (T-12 in 2021). Given the fact he’s a Georgia boy through and through, and the fact he’s a lefty, you’d think his record would be better at this golf tournament, but it has been by far his worst major.
His best has been the Open Championship, which he won at Hoylake in 2023, much to the chagrin of the European fans and media, the latter of which began referring to him as “The Butcher of Hoylake.” A play on Harman’s hunting hobby, as well as the fact he dusted the rest of the field, including European fan favorites McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood.
For some strange reason, that was still on one (likely European) reporter’s mind on Saturday in Georgia, leading to a hilarious exchange where the aforementioned “Butcher” nickname came up and Harman revealed a great story about it.
Q. Do you have fond memories of Hoylake?
HARMAN: Oh, yeah, lots of fond memories of Hoylake.
Q. “The Butcher of Hoylake.”
HARMAN: Yeah, yeah, you guys coined that nickname and thought it was going to make me upset, and after the tournament we threw a “Brian the Butcher” themed party that everyone — I’ll get you a Koozie.
Q. So you were pleased we did it?
HARMAN: Yes, I am. Yeah, very pleased.
Q. Deer jerky for all the British guys?
HARMAN: There you go, yeah. Yeah, wild venison for everyone. It’s too bad you don’t get to pick your menu at The Open Championship.
Man, these people really need to let it go. Then again, an American has won three of the last four claret jugs, which might explain the bitterness.
