Former Open champion Brian Harman won his first event since lifting the Claret Jug in 2023 with victory at the Valero Texas Open.
The left-hander, who triumphed at Royal Liverpool two years ago, recovered from a mid-round wobble when his overnight three-stroke lead was cut to one to eventually card a three-over round of 75 and win by three.
Andrew Novak’s hopes of a Masters invitation which would have come with a win looked to have disappeared when Harman birdied the 12th and 14th to re-establish the three-shot cushion.
However, Harman’s bogey at the 16th put Novak back in the frame but he missed his opportunity with a duffed chip from the back of the 17th green costing him a shot.
And when Novak dragged his drive into the heavy rough at the par-five last any slim hopes were over and Harman could finally relax.
“The last two days felt like they took an eternity, with the wind it felt like a nightmare out there,” Harman told Sky Sports.
Harman celebrates on the 18th green
Fellow American Ryan Gerard was also hoping to snatch a late trip to Augusta but after reaching the turn in 33 he managed only one birdie on the back nine.
But his round of 69 for a six-under total was good enough for second outright after Novak’s bogey at the last dropped him into a tie for third after a 76.
When is The Masters live on Sky Sports?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Will Rory McIlroy complete a career Grand Slam at The Masters this year? Watch all the action live from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf!
Sky Sports Golf will be showing record hours of live coverage from the 2025 contest, where Scottie Scheffler returns as defending champion, including more action over the final two rounds than previous years.
Wall-to-wall coverage from the tournament begins at 2pm on Thursday, with Featured Group action and regular updates from around the course available to enjoy on Sky Sports Golf until the global broadcast window begins at 8pm.
The same timings will apply on Friday, while a new addition to this year’s coverage sees a Masters build-up show live from 3pm over the weekend ahead of full coverage starting at 5pm, covering all the action until after the close of play.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
On Sky+, Sky Q and Sky Glass there will be lots of extra action via the red button on the Sky Sports Golf channel, providing plenty of bonus feeds and allowing you to follow players’ progress through various parts of Augusta’s famous layout.
Who will win The Masters? Watch from April 10-13 live on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening round begins with Featured Groups on Thursday April 10, from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
