A big win for Brian Harman means a big jump in all the rankings.
Now he’s in prime position to make captain Zach Johnson’s 2023 Ryder Cup team.
Harman, whose odds to win the British Open were 150-to-1, was ranked 26th in the Official World Golf Ranking heading into the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. After his first major championship victory, he checks in at No. 10 following Monday’s update.
In the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, Harman was 44th a week ago, now he’s 34th.
The biggest number for him, however, may be the No. 3 next to his name in the latest Ryder Cup standings for Team USA.
Harman was 20th in the standings for the American squad but his British Open win vaulted him to third, behind Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark and one ahead of Brooks Koepka. The top six guys on this list – Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay are Nos. 5 and 6 – earn automatic spots on the team. The next six (Nos. 7 through 12) will be captain’s picks.
In the aftermath of his win Sunday, Harman was asked about the Ryder Cup.
“I’m going to kick that can down the road a little bit. I’m going to enjoy this,” he said. “The next thing for me will be our [FedEx Cup] Playoffs, what I’ll be looking forward to.”
After 36 holes at Royal Liverpool, just after he shot a 6-under round to get to 10 under to take sole possession of the lead, Harman was asked: Do you see this week as your stage to make a case for the Ryder Cup team?
His reply last Friday night:
“I’ve spent I don’t know how many years chasing. … it always seems it’s right there at the end and I end up in between 13th and 18th on the list and I’m hoping for a pick. It would mean the world to me to play on the Ryder Cup team. I think I would do very well.”
At that time, Harman knew he was only halfway to the Claret Jug so he tried to then downplay the Ryder Cup chatter by adding: “But I’m not thinking about that at all.”
Now, it’s safe to say, he’s free to think about it all he wants, as his spot on the roster seems secure.
