Can final-round 63 push Harman over Ryder Cup finish line?
Brian Harman has been waiting for one of those go-low rounds. He got in Sunday, shooting 7-under 63 in the final round of the Tour Championship. Now the Savannah native hopes it could help push him over the line when it comes to making the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
“Anything that I say about myself is going to look like lobbying, so I’m not going to say anything,” Harman said.
Harman began the week No. 12 on the points list, which means he has a good chance to be one of Keegan Bradley’s six captain’s picks. If chosen, he would join fellow Georgia Bulldogs Harris English and Russell Henley, who made the squad as automatic selections.
Harman admitted that he has thought often about making the team for a second consecutive year.
“I think anybody that’s been considered for it would be lying if they didn’t have it in the back of their mind,” he said.
The 63 was his low round of the year. He has played well in the two playoff events, but did not contend in either. He won the Valero Texas Open this summer for his fourth PGA Tour victory and was 18th on the FedEx Cup points list.
He finished this week tied for 13th at 10-under 270.
“I’ve been trending the right way for a while, but the results really haven’t shown it. I wish I had another week,” he said. “I’ve had ample chances this year. I’m proud of the way I played today, but we’ll see.”
Honorary observers bask in experience
Jeanne Gallagher, who works for the Southern Company in Birmingham, and client Don Collier got the full inside-the-ropes treatment on Sunday when they served as honorary observers for the final round.
They spent the day alongside Sungjae Im and J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion, and had their eyes opened to the game that goes on between the ropes, where even the television camera can’t pick up the conversation.
“I’m an avid golfer and the interaction between the player and the caddie, how they go through the analytics and visualize the holes, where they want to be — being that close to them is amazing,” Collier said.
The two even negotiated the hills of East Lake without any issue on the sunny day. But they were quick to make a quick stop in the clubhouse to grab a cold can of Coke before they joined the hoi polloi in the gallery.
It was the first time Gallagher has been an observer, but the second go-round for Collier, who was in the final group last year with Scottie Scheffler.
Yellow ribbon solidarity
Most players and their caddies wore a yellow ribbon on their hat Sunday. The ribbons were a sign of solidarity and support on behalf of Joel Scott, the nephew of Ted Scott, who caddies for Scottie Scheffler.
Joel Scott is recovered from injuries sustained last week that caused Ted Scott to return home to attend to the family matter. He was back on Scheffler’s bag this week.
About the Author
Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.
