Brian Harman talks to the test, a viral interview

Two weeks ago, Brian Harman's interview went viral on social media – although not for the reasons Harman would have liked.

The 2023 Open champion had a four-under 16 hole in the first round of the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island, but made a bogey on 17 and a double-bogey on 18 to post a one-under 70. Since it was a Signature Event with a $20 million purse, those were two expensive holes that Harman stumbled into.

When asked to speak to the media after the game, Harman was still hot. What followed was a short 45-second interview with only four questions. Here is his last one:

Can you take us through the last hole there?

“No,” he said. “Is it good? Thank you.”

It's a side of professional golf you don't see often, and while it's fair to question whether Harman would have been brought in after this finish anyway, or at least given more time to cool off, he was asked about that connection on Tuesday. , while, as the defending Open champion, hosted a press conference hosted by the R&A.

“Yeah, I don't mind being like that,” Harman said. “I don't like to appear as a disrespectful person. Everyone has a job to do. I hate that it turned out that way. The way I felt, it's as raw as it gets. I've learned some things – I don't want to come off as ungrateful for what I'm going to do. I love what I do. It was the only thing I could do every day. I've always wanted to be a golfer, so I'm grateful for the opportunity.”

Harman added that it is a result of his concern for his performance.

“When I do something that is not related to being killed on the golf course, it makes me sad,” he said. “I'm very proud of what I do, and I was hot, man. I was hot coming out. I had a really good day and wasted it on the last few holes, and probably shouldn't have done the interview in retrospect. “

Harman had a good rest of the week in Harbor Town, though. He closed with rounds of 69, 70 and 64, the latter of which helped him to a tie for 12th, worth $393,000.

Josh Behow

Golf.com Editor

As managing editor of GOLF.com, Berhow manages the day-to-day and long-term programming of one of the most widely read news and service websites in the sport. He spends most of his days writing, planning, organizing and wondering if he will ever break 80. Before joining GOLF.com in 2015, he worked at newspapers in Minnesota and Iowa. A graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn., he lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and two children. You can reach him at [email protected].