Brian Harman said he "has the game" to win the Open Championship for a second time in three years after a brilliant six-under 65 on Friday shot the American to the top of the leaderboard.
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The 2023 winner of the Claret Jug made the most of the benign morning conditions on the Causeway Coast to card six birdies in a bogey-free round to move to eight under par.
Finesse at the finish.
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2025
A birdie on 18 and Harman signs for a 65. Eight-under for the Championship. pic.twitter.com/18zmugPz1M
Two years ago at Royal Liverpool, Harman also pulled clear in his second round and was never reeled back in by the field on the way to sealing his first major by six shots.
The best the 38-year-old has managed in seven majors since was tied for 21st at last year's US Open.
Yet, the 5ft 7in (170cm) Harman's game is tailor made for the seaside links conditions, which are less beneficial for the booming big hitters off the tee than most courses on the PGA Tour.
"I just enjoy the creativity and trying to think your way around," said Harman. "You can kind of do it your own way.
"I love the golf over here. It suits me. Distance, of course, matters over here, but it doesn't matter as much as maybe some other tournaments, and it doesn't matter because the ground is so firm that the ball rolls."
With dark clouds and driving rain rolling in for the afternoon starters on Friday, Harman is likely to go out in the final group come Saturday's crucial third round.
But he is trying to stay calm, despite recognising that the chance to contend for majors does not come around often.
"I'm not trying to be heroic or do anything crazy. I know that I've got the game to do it, and it's just a matter of executing and staying in my own head," he added.
"I was quoted afterwards (winning the 2023 British Open) saying I'd spend the rest of my life trying to get in a position to feel this again because it is, it's the top of our profession, major championships.
"Any time you can get in contention, have a chance to win, I mean, that's what we've all worked for our entire lives and you don't get that many opportunities to do that."
Harman, nicknamed "The Butcher" due his passion for hunting, said he would celebrate his Claret Jug two years ago by mowing grass on his new tractor.
His pro-hunting comments have previously drawn criticism from animal rights activists, but said he will "sleep like a baby" despite the furore, after a steak dinner to recover his energies for a big weekend ahead.