American golfer Brian Harman battles tough conditions to win Texas Open
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Brian Harman of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the Valero Texas Open.
PHOTO: AFP
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HOUSTON – Brian Harman had concerns both on and off the golf course as he made his way through the final round of the Texas Open on April 6.
He finished with a clunky three-over 75, but it was good enough to win the tournament at TPC San Antonio.
A family friend who helped save his son last autumn from a rip tide off the Florida coast has taken a health turn for the worse in recent days. He said Cathy Dowdy has been in his thoughts.
“Playing with a heavy heart today,” Harman said after the tournament. “Miss Cathy is not doing so good and I am just thinking about her all day.”
His fourth career PGA Tour victory came as he coped with wind gusts exceeding 48kmh.
He began the last round at the resort’s Oaks Course with a three-shot lead, and that was the final margin as he posted nine-under 279 for the four rounds.
“Just so proud how I handled these conditions on this golf course,” Harman added.
“The golf course gave me all I wanted today and I am just happy to come out here on top.”
Ryan Gerard (69) placed second after a strong final round, though his lone bogey came on the last hole.
Andrew Novak (76) struggled down the stretch, with a putt short on the last hole resulting in his seventh bogey and leaving him in a tie for third place with Maverick McNealy (72) at five under.
Seven golfers tied for fifth place at four under.
While many golfers who have qualified for this week’s US Masters will be able to quickly look ahead to the Major, Harman had something else to process with another victory.
The American, whose last title came at the 2023 British Open, said he drew inspiration from Dowdy and those who could not attend the final round of the tournament, realising he was in their thoughts.
“Just knowing I have so much support back home from my family and my wife and my kids,” he said.
Gerard made a big push to close within two shots after trailing by nine strokes when the day began. He teed off more than an hour earlier than Harman.
“I didn’t hit it very well at all, but my caddie just kept it in spots that I felt like I had a chance from, either with a lot of green to work with or kind of back into the wind,” he said.
“You feel like you’re never really out of it if you can kind of use the wind as a backstop. I was just trying to be scrappy out there.” REUTERS, AFP
