Harman still leads Open as Jon Rahm heads the chase

Ian Chadband | July 24, 2023

Brian Harman’s runaway lead at the British Open has been pegged back from five to four shots early in his final round as Spanish star Jon Rahm led the pursuit at a rain-sodden Royal Liverpool.

American Harman, who led by five shots overnight, dropped two shots in the first five holes as the constant rain at Hoylake made life difficult for the contenders on Sunday.

The Georgia left-hander missed his first putt of 10 foot or under in the entire championships at the fifth hole to drop back to 10 under, but he rebounded in the same composed style he’s shown all week by sinking a birdie putt of 14 foot at the next.

Earlier, world No.3 Rahm, following up his dazzling 63 on Saturday, had birdied the fifth to momentarily reduce the deficit to three.

Austrian Sepp Straka made a couple of birdies to join Rahm on seven under, while local hero Tommy Fleetwood had moved into joint third place on six under.

There had also been an impressive move from British favourite Rory McIlroy, who had moved from three to five under after 11 holes.

Jason Day’s hopes of keeping the Claret Jug in Australia suffered early blows on the outward nine. After opening up at five under, two bogeys and a birdie over the first seven holes meant he dropped from his overnight five under, tied for fourth, to a five-way tie for ninth at four under.