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The 151st Open
23 July 2023
Left-handed Open winners
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An elite club of three
Brian Harman has become just the third left-hander in the history of The Open to lift the Claret Jug after his victory at Royal Liverpool.
If good things come in three, then for left-handers, it would appear they arrive in years ending in three, with Harman’s 2023 success following Bob Charles in 1963 and Phil Mickelson in 2013.
Leading by five shots heading into the final day of The 151st Open, Harman handled the pressure magnificently to win by six with an aggregate of 271.
Left-handers to win The Open
Bob Charles – Royal Lytham & St Annes - 1963
Bob Charles and his wife, Verity, with the Claret Jug
New Zealander Charles made history at Royal Lytham & St Annes 60 years ago when he became the first left-hander and first New Zealander to win a major.
With a one-shot lead going into the final round, Charles finished regulation play level with Phil Rodgers on three-under.
Charles was then a dominant winner of the 36-hole play-off that followed, winning by eight strokes with a total of 140.
Phil Mickelson – Muirfield - 2013
Phil Mickelson became the second left-handed Champion 50 years after Bob Charles
It took half a century for another left-hander to lift the Claret Jug, Mickelson becoming the second at Muirfield in 2013.
A sensational final-round 66 saw Mickelson finish on three-under to win The 142nd Open by three strokes, despite starting the final day five shots off the pace.
It came two years after he finished tied for second at Royal St George’s, while he also famously finished second to Henrik Stenson in 2016 after one of the most epic battles in Open history at Royal Troon.
Brian Harman - Royal Liverpool - 2023
Brian Harman gives a thumbs up after winning The 151st Open
Harman now joins Charles and Mickelson after a performance of the highest class at Hoylake.
After a first-round 67 left him one shot off the lead, Harman sensationally took charge of the Championship with a 65 on day two, which left him five clear at the halfway stage.
That healthy advantage was maintained on Saturday as the 36-year-old displayed grit and determination in abundance.
Harman came under early pressure in Sunday’s final round, but produced a sensational response and ultimately cruised home with a degree of comfort to become the 89th Champion Golfer in The Open’s illustrious history.
