BRIAN HARMAN was drug tested after his stunning six-under round of 65 at The Open.
The American, 38, won at Hoylake two years ago to be crowned Champion Golfer of the Year.
Brian Harman soared up the leaderboard with a superb 65[/caption]
And his superb bogey-free second round at Royal Portrush – to go with his two-under day on Thursday – gave him the clubhouse lead when he rolled in his birdie on 18 at -8.
But when he was asked if he felt similar feelings at this stage compared to 2023, Harman joked there was one identical detail.
That is because, just like at Royal Liverpool, Harman was hauled in by the anti-doping team to check his pee – a common test for golfers as in other sports.
Harman told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I can’t get too far ahead of myself.
“I’ve got a drug test after this, just like I did on the Friday at Liverpool.
“Hopefully the weekend works out the same.”
Harman led by five shots at the midway point two years ago and ran away with it over the weekend.
He finished on -13 with a six-shot gap back to Jason Day, Tom Kim, Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka in T2.
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And while the leaderboard is a lot tighter this time around in Northern Ireland, the diminutive Georgia star has a game that suits links golf and knows what it takes to get his hands on the Claret Jug.
He added: “Although the golf courses are different, the style of golf is very similar, I think.
“I’ll approach the weekend the same way.
“The only thing I’m really worried about is the first tee ball tomorrow, and then I’ll try to hit the next one up there close to the flag. If not, go to the second hole.
“It’s a very boring approach that I take. 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.
“I love coming over here. As far as golf, it’s as pure as it gets.”
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Harman sparked controversy in 2023 when it came to light that he was a keen hunter, dubbing him the nickname the ‘Butcher of Hoylake’.
He stalks deer, wild boar and ducks back home and reckons he once wrestled an alligator with his bare hands.
Harman said: “I’m still a big hunter, a big fisherman. I was surprised and curious why everyone was asking so many questions about it (in Hoylake).
“I didn’t realise that everyone was so upset about it – but hunting, it’s a hill I’ll die on, I’ll sleep like a baby at night.
“I’m a very compartmentalised guy, though. I’m not thinking about hunting when I’m golfing. I’m not thinking about golfing when I’m hunting.”
Harman lifted the Claret Jug in 2023[/caption]
