Harman won the 2023 Open and is contending again at Royal Portrush, but his introduction to links golf was rocky, at best.

Before he gained the lead at this week’s British Open — shooting a 6-under-par 65 on Friday to reach 8-under at Royal Portrush Golf Club on the northern coast of Northern Ireland — Brian Harman struggled.

Harman wants more and, though 36 holes of the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, he’s put himself in position to hoist the Claret Jug for a second time thanks to a second-round 65 on Thursday. That put him in the lead at 8-under par as some of the players with later tee times, such as Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm, were teeing off.