14 Years Before His Open Heroics, a Brewing Rivalry Between Rickie Fowler and Brian Harman Assets the PGA Tour Pro’s Insane Dominance

The 2023 Open Championship has officially entered its final round. The last three thrilling and action-packed days have had many incredible moments featuring numerous golfers. However, undeniably, Brian Harman and his A-game have been the highlight of the fourth golf major. Currently, the golfer sits comfortably on top of the leaderboard with a five-shot lead over Cameron Young.

While Harman had not been among the elite players on the PGA Tour with a major win, his strategic gameplay in Hoylake is aiming toward it. Although, before he executes to clinch that victory on Sunday, there is another triumph of the golfer that has been legendary in its bearing. This achievement, surprisingly, also featured the PGA Tour star—Rickie Fowler. It portrayed the persona of the golfers before they made up their minds to become professionals.

Once upon a time at the 2009 NCAA Championship, the two PGA Tour pros competed against each other as amateur golfers. It was the first time the title was decided based on match play. So, it happened that the Bulldogs, the No.1 seed, and nation-ranked No.1 team, Oklahoma State battled against each other.

While the former’s top-ranked player was Brian Harman, OSU’s No.1 golfer was Rickie Fowler. This produced circumstances such that the match between the two was a deciding one. Initially, Fowler took up the lead on the 14 holes that were to be played. Soon came the 16th hole, the Californian native executed a brilliant birdie. But, a similar score was garnered by Harman as well.