HOYLAKE, England — After Saturday’s third round, NBC’s Cara Banks asked leader Brian Harman what he credited his remarkable putting performance to, but Harman was holding his cards close to the vest. He didn’t want to give away any trade secrets.
But after rolling to a six-stroke victory on Sunday to hoist the Claret Jug, Harman finally revealed the key to his improved putting. He has been using a training aid to help with his stroke.
“It’s a silly looking mirror where it’s got like a little better release pattern,” said Harman, who couldn’t recall what tournament he picked it up but pulled it out of the barn of his farmhouse recently. “I was just kind of cutting my putts too much. I spent a lot of time just feeling the ball, almost hitting like a baby draw with my putter, and it’s been really, really good the last month or so.”
Relentless from Brian Harman.
A 40 foot masterstroke from the long-time leader.
He is now on the verge. pic.twitter.com/NXEOg0kk0X
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2023
Prior to using the device, which he didn’t name but it appears to be the Short Game Gains Putting Mirror, Harman said he had been considering benching his TaylorMade Spider putter, but said that it won’t be leaving the bag any time soon after his putting performance this week. He took just 23 putts Thursday and 26 on Friday and his 106 total putts were the fewest by the winner of the British Open in the last 20 years.
Harman led the field in Strokes Gained: Putting (+11.57). He finally missed a putt on Sunday from inside 10 feet but he still went an impressive 58 for 59 putting from 10 feet and in. That is rolling your rock.
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