Brian Harman has come in for a lot of criticism from fans on social media following an incident during the final round of the DP World India Championship on Sunday.
Brian Harman went into the last round with a genuine chance of victory. However, a double bogey on the very first hole all but ended his challenge.
A two over par round of 74 meant that the 2023 Open Championship winner finished tied for 26th at Delhi Golf Club.
It is, therefore, little surprise that frustration got the better of him. It was, however, extremely baffling to see the shot that seemed to tip Harman over the edge.
Brian Harman heavily criticised after the final round of the DP World India Championship
On the par three fifth hole, the 38-year-old spent a second looking at his tee shot before deciding to smash his club into the ground.
Harman is not the first player to lose his cool. However, what was particularly strange was that Harman’s shot ended up around seven feet from the pin, leaving him with a fantastic chance to make birdie.
Understandably, some fans were confused, with one writing: ‘Excuse me?‘ Another said: ‘God knows what he would have done if he had missed the green.’
Harman is not known for being a fast player by any means. So some took the opportunity to pick up on how quickly he decided that he did not like the shot, with one viewer posting: ‘Fastest I’ve seen him move in a long time‘.
Another wrote: ‘Surprised he didn’t waggle 17 times and look at the ground before the smash‘. Someone else said: ‘He channeled the anger that everyone watching him club waggle for 45 seconds before his swing feels‘.
And clearly, plenty of fans have had enough of this kind of behaviour. ‘Too many pro golfers acting like children lately..not setting a good example‘, one wrote.
Another said: ‘He needs to control his anger. No place for this anywhere in golf.‘ Someone else insisted: ‘Ban him. End of.‘
Finally, there was the suggestion of a new rule: ‘if you throw a tantrum immediately after your swing, yet the resulting shot finishes on the green, the player must retrieve the ball and drop it 20 paces away from the putting surface‘.
Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka among the players to come in for similar criticism in 2025
Harman finished alongside Rory McIlroy on the leaderboard in India. And McIlroy is someone fans have criticised this year, with the Northern Irishman throwing clubs and breaking tee markers at the US Open.
Similarly, Brooks Koepka was slated after losing his cool at LIV Golf Dallas this past season. Koepka ended up withdrawing during his round due to illness having already vented his anger at one stage.
Players failing to control their temper is nothing new. However, incidents of clubs being launched or broken seems to be becoming more common.
Harman’s actions may be a tipping point given that he really had absolutely no reason to react in that manner. Ultimately, he had to take a drop on the first hole because he almost shanked a bunker shot into the bushes. That was the moment where he could have been forgiven for showing his frustration.
He made par on the fifth hole in every single round. So it was hardly a nemesis for him throughout the week.
Perhaps the positive is that Harman clearly cares. However, it is fair to say that he did not endear himself to spectators with his actions on Sunday.
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