The Open: Brian Harman booed on first tee in final round 

The Open leader Brian Harman was booed on the first tee by unruly golf fans at Royal Liverpool.

American Harman has taken a five-stroke lead into the final round, waking up on Sunday with one hand on the Claret Jug.

But it is clear that the 34-year-old would be far from the most popular winner on the Wirral links if he does indeed convert his sizeable advantage and become the new Champion Golfer of the Year.

• Why does Jason Day close his eyes?

• Harman on the brink at Hoylake

Harman admitted in Saturday’s press conference that he was subject to unspecified abuse throughout his round playing with home hero Tommy Fleetwood on Saturday.

He brushed off the criticism to post a nerveless two-under par round of 70 to put him on course for his maiden major title.

“‘I’d be lying if I didn’t hear some things that weren’t super nice today towards me,” he said on Saturday. “I hear them, but at the same time, I don’t try to let that influence the decision I’m about to make.”

When pressed on what he heard, Harman said: “It’s unrepeatable.”

Harman is off at the first amidst a smattering of fans screaming “Get in the bunker!” on his opening shot.

— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) July 23, 2023

Harman’s passion for game hunting has been under the spotlight this week and that hobby has certainly divided opinion on Merseyside.

But there has been widespread disproval of some distasteful booing towards Harman as he set out on a day that will almost certainly define his career.

The boos could be heard clearly on the first, while No Laying Up’s Kevin Van Valkenburg reported that a “smattering of fans” were screaming “Get in the bunker!” as he struck his driver down the fairway.

The reactions of the rowdy supporters towards Harman have not gone down well on social media.

DP World Tour pro Eddie Pepperrell said the booing was “not cool,”, while one fan wrote “disgraceful, chuck them out.”

Others called the fans “shameful”, while some suggested the backlash could actually inspire Harman to perform even better in his final round.

Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm were the closest challengers to Harman in the early stages of the final round at Hoylake.