Brian Harman Finds His Groove Again at Austin Championship

Brian Harman's relationship with Texas keeps getting better, and his performance at the Austin Championship suggests another PGA Tour victory in the Lone Star State might be within reach.

The former Open champion fired a 6-under 66 Friday at Omni Barton Creek Resort's Fazio Canyons Course, reaching 11 under through 36 holes and putting himself firmly in contention heading into the weekend.

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For Harman, who's already won four times on the PGA Tour, including the 2025 Valero Texas Open, there's something about competing in Texas that seems to bring out his best golf.

"I won the Texas Open, man," Harman said when asked about his success in the state. "I just like Texas, it's a nice place."

That comfort extends beyond tournament golf.

The Georgia native is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing and managing timberland. He's developed an appreciation for Texas culture, and his victory in San Antonio last year only strengthened that connection.

But Harman's latest performance is about considerably more than feeling comfortable.

After falling outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings earlier this season, the 39-year-old found himself watching some of the PGA Tour's biggest tournaments instead of competing in them.

That frustration has become motivation.

"Obviously anytime there's tournaments that are going on that you're not qualified for, that's aggravating," Harman said.

He entered the Austin Championship ranked 71st in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, making another strong finish particularly valuable.

Friday's round demonstrated why Harman remains dangerous when his game is clicking.

He recorded eight birdies against two bogeys, improving on Thursday's opening 67. His ball-striking was more consistent, and his putter helped capitalize on the scoring opportunities he created.

"I got it in play a little bit better than yesterday, made a couple more putts," Harman said.

The performance follows a top-10 finish in Japan, giving Harman consecutive encouraging starts during a season that hasn't consistently met his expectations.

And despite approaching his 40th birthday in January, Harman isn't thinking about slowing down.

Instead, he's experimenting with adjustments and searching for ways to improve the game that carried him to the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

The challenge has apparently renewed his competitive drive.

"Climbing the hill's a lot easier than trying to stay on top of the hill," Harman said.

There's still work to do in Austin, where Trace Crowe, Kevin Yu and several other contenders are threatening to make the weekend a shootout.

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But Harman has already demonstrated that his combination of accurate driving, sharp iron play and dependable putting can thrive on demanding Texas layouts.

Another trophy would be particularly meaningful after his FedEx Cup disappointment. And judging by his first two rounds, Harman isn't finished chasing them.