Portrush, Northern Ireland – Butchers in Hoylake are once again wandering around the average fairways of the UK’s opening.
Brian Herman, who was given that moniker when he won the 2023 British Open at Royal Liverpool, was shot to the top of the leaderboard with a bogeyless 6-under 65 at the Royal Portrush on Friday, comparing his lowest career score in the majors.
The 38-year-old Georgia Bulldog bursed the first two holes and closed with his card in the sixth circle of the day. He has improved to a total of 8 under 134 with 36 holes, ready to run with the second claret jug.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to get into a position where I feel this again,” he said he has a chance with another major title.
A four-time PGA Tour winner, Harman is turning into a Link Golf Specialist. After starting to play Link Golf, he became a supporter of the ground game and accepted the multiple options offered to fly irons and undress the shots.
“A place like this forces you to be a little more creative. It’s not that much an aviation attack,” he said. “I enjoy creativity and try to think about my own path. You’re not forced to hit a particular shot. You can do it in your own way.”
But this wasn’t always the case for Herman. He still remembers playing Link Golf at the 2007 Palmer Cup in Prestwick, Scotland, and was confused by the foreign golf style for him.
“I played four games and it turned 0-4, but I don’t think I was past the 14th. “I couldn’t get it there. I was trying to tip with Rob Wedge so I kept trying to tip into the air.
Herman is one of the shortest hitters on the PGA Tour, but his disadvantage is that the stiffness of the grass has denied any effect, and the ball is unfolded.
“There are a million different ways to play here, but I’m stuck with this in other majors, and I hope I can sway as hard as I can from this tee ball, smack this 7 iron as high as I can and stop,” Herman said.
