Harman's Open defence starts with claret jug return

Returning the claret jug.

The formal handover of the British Open trophy required a little pomp. Harman was in the back seat of an SUV. The destination was not much longer than the 40-foot birdie putt he made last year on the 14th hole on his way to winning the Open. But he had to wait for the film crew to be set, for the traffic on the road to clear.

"It's all yours," the 37-year-old American told Martin Slumbers, the R&A CEO who took back golf's oldest trophy that apparently has seen its share of the finest wine and bourbon in the year since Harman won at Royal Liverpool.

"In my opinion, it's the coolest trophy in all of sports," Harman said.

"So I think it's deserving of all of the pageantry that's involved with it."

Getting it back by the end of the week is the real challenge.

The homecoming of the claret jug was an unofficial way to launch the start of the final men's major of the year. The 152nd Open Championship begins Thursday on the Scottish links along the Firth of Clyde on the Irish Sea.

Harman had gone six years without a win until putting together a masterpiece last year to lead over the final 51 holes and win by six. He hasn't won since then, a matter of getting his putter to cooperate. He hopes that's the case this week.

"You can work and work and work. You just never know when that work is going to pay off," Harman said.

"You never know when you're going to catch a little bit of momentum. So you just have to hope it's a big week."

No one has won back to back in the British Open since Padraig Harrington in 2007 (Carnoustie) and 2008 (Royal Birkdale). Go back to 1960 and the list of repeat winners includes only Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer.

"A little sad to give it back, but I'll remember everywhere it's been forever," Harman said.

"I'm happy to give it back, happy to be here. Ready to get going."

After handing off the jug, Harman headed out to see Royal Troon for the first time. Monday was largely a day of reflection and he was eager to move forward.

But it was a good year, even without another win. He took the jug to Georgia Bulldogs football and Atlanta Braves baseball games. He took it everywhere he could, a reminder of reaching the pinnacle of his sport.

"You never know how it's going to go, but just the reception from everyone back home was overwhelming, just how excited everyone was," he said.

"I was obviously very excited, but to be able to share that excitement with people that I care about was probably the best."

Australian Associated Press