Brian Harman gained the 151st Open Championship on Sunday to say his first main title. Harman has been in headlines, however not solely due to his {golfing} glories. The American has been the centre of social media banter in cricketing circles, with many declaring the similarities between him and Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Ricky Ponting.
“Yeah, I hear a number of Ricky, Ricky’s on the market. Yeah, I seem like him … good-looking fella,” Brian Harman mentioned throughout his post-round information convention on Saturday.
Harman did benefit from the comparisons between him and Ponting however when requested to discuss the sport, the American responded by saying, “Okay, on my first journey right here, it was at all times on TV, Sky Sports activities Cricket. I believe I’d be the standard American cricket fan in that. What is the one the place they simply attempt to knock the hell out of the factor on a regular basis? Over 20? I get pleasure from that the place the man was simply knocking it over the fence. Nicely, they’re operating forwards and backwards. Is {that a} run each time? I am getting there. I’ve received an open thoughts. I prefer it!”
The official Twitter deal with of The Open championship additionally shared a collage of Ricky Ponting and Brian Harman to level out the similarities. “The previous Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting…The chief of The Open Brian Harman,” learn the tweet.
England cricketer Sam Billings additionally seemed to be fairly impressed with the comparisons between Brian Harman and Ricky Ponting. Sharing a photograph of Harman on Twitter, Billings wrote, “Ricky Ponting,” together with a clapping arms emoji.
Having didn’t win a PGA Tour occasion since 2017, Brian Harman was by no means seen as a possible champion at The Open. Earlier than Sunday, Harman’s final win had occurred on the Wells Fargo Championship. Harman got here up with a sensational recreation at Hoylake to say the celebrated Claret Jug. In response to media reviews, Ricky Ponting had attended The Open at Hoylake however he by no means received an opportunity to work together with Harman.
An American Newbie Junior champion, Brian Harman impressed everybody together with his brilliance on the high-school stage. In 2009, Harman received the higher of his fellow countryman Rickie Fowler to win the NCAA Championship at school. On Sunday, Harman shot a 1-under-par 70 to clinch his maiden main title on the age of 36. With a closing rating of 13-under 271, Harman managed to earn the title by six strokes.
