‘Gutless Loser’: Brian Harman Becomes Laughing Stock Among Fans as $1.71M PGA Tour Win Is Jeopardized

Brian Harman was on the path to winning the 2025 Valero Texas Open at the end of the penultimate round. The 38-year-old had a 4-stroke lead against the field as he teed off for the last 18 on Sunday. But, 10 holes later, the Savannah local is struggling as Andrew Novak is breathing down his neck, one stroke below him. Ryan Gerard has also caught up to Harman in the meantime. He has managed a 7-under in the final round to get 2 strokes away from the leader. Reading this, many would think that Novak is also having a spectacular round like Gerard. But that is not the case.

Yes, Harman won the Texas Open, but did it come as easily as everyone thought it would? Not at all. The 30-year-old has gone 1-over after the first 18 holes of the final round. He actually lost a stroke during the day. And for anyone who hasn’t caught on yet, yes, Brian has gone 3-over at the same time, nearly giving up his shot at banking $1.71 million. Two bogeys and one double bogey have brought down his score from 12-under par 204 in the third round to 9-under right now. He has lost a formidable lead that would have helped him gain momentum going into the 2025 Masters Tournament.

PGA TOUR Communications brought this to light with their tweet as they revealed the details behind Harman’s abysmal display. The post read “After beginning the day nine strokes behind Brian Harman, Ryan Gerard (-7) has pulled within two strokes of Harman’s lead (-9). The largest final-round comeback at the Valero Texas Open: 6 (Bruce Crampton/1964).” While Ryan Gerard might be celebrating at TPC San Antonio, Harman might not have much to smile about.

While fans have their reasons to be angry with Harman, the Texas Open champion had some personal struggles going on as well before his winning moment. Cathy Dowdy, the heroic woman who saved Brian Harman’s son from a rip current off the Florida coast last fall, hasn’t been doing well lately. And while Harman was focused on chasing victory at the Texas Open, his mind was elsewhere.

“Playing with a heavy heart today,” Harman said after the tournament. “Miss Cathy is not doing so good and I am just thinking about her all day.” As for the game, not only did he maintain his mental composure over Cathy Dowdy’s troubling update, but Harman also battled the weather to win it all. “Just so proud of how I handled these conditions,” Harman added. “This golf course gave me all I wanted today and happy to come out on top.”

As for fans, let’s say, they jumped the gun before knowing the context behind Harman’s questionable performance.

Top Comment by Land2003

The weather conditions were horrible. Plus you a hopes need to stop and realize his wife is on life support...more

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Debate

Brian Harman infuriates the golf fans

Most fans were shocked by the change in tide at the 2025 Valero Texas Open. They questioned Brian Harman about his mental state going into the fourth round. One of them said, “Brian Harman needs to be investigated for this collapse in the Texas Open.” Losing a 4-stroke lead at TPC San Antonio will make anyone wonder what was going through the golfer’s mind. Another chose to add a bit of insult to his suffering. They said, “Brian Harman becomes a gutless loser in the Valero but doesn’t do this at the open?” Knowing that Harman ended up winning the tournament in the end might invalidate their views. Additionally, no one expected this considering that he had played exceptionally well in his 2023 Open Championship win.

Speaking of what’s happening at the course, one fan said, “Brian Harman is completely lost right now. There’s not a lot of opportunity to score today; but this tournament is way more open than it was at the start of the day. #ValeroTexasOpen #pgatour.” They believe that, despite Harman’s bad run, the tournament has now opened up for others to take advantage of the situation and grab a win.

Others were critical of Brian Harman’s overall strokeplay. Someone commented, “Brian Harman is literally terrible 🤣 all he had to do was not implode and that’s exactly what he decided to do.” They believe that, despite the 30 mph wind gust today, Harman shouldn’t have forfeited such a great lead. There was another comment that said, “Brian Harman is folding like a lawn chair.” The fan is clearly amused by the fall of Harman.

One of the fans seemed to have lost all hope after watching the Georgia citizen play in the fourth round. They said, “In no world do you care about Brian Harman and the Valero Open…unless you stand to lose your a** on a bet 💀” The abysmal display certainly seems to have triggered them for the worst.

What is your take on Brian Harman giving up such a great lead at the 2025 Valero Texas Open? Let us know in the comments section.