Not to stop Harman in a drama-free British Open win at Hoylake.

Brian Herman turned back every challenge at the British Open, from big names to bad weather, and cemented his place among the major champions on Sunday with a victory that was never seriously in doubt at Royal Liverpool.

Harman responded with two back-to-back birdies for a rare bogey, leaving everyone else to play for second. He closed with a 1-under 70, making an 8-foot par putt on the final hole for a six-shot victory.

At 36, he is the oldest first-time winner since Sergio Garcia won the Masters in 2017 when he was 37.

This was no surprise. Many didn’t see this coming at the start of the week. Harman has played in 167 tournaments in the six years since his last victory at the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship. It is his third title in his 12 years on the PGA Tour.

And then the avid outdoorsman made winning golf’s oldest championship as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.

Masters champion Jon Rahm birdied his final-hole 70 to move him into a four-way tie for second with Tom Kim (67), Sep Straka (69) and Jason Day (69).

It turned out to be a B flight.

Harman took the lead early in the second round on Friday morning with the second of four straight birdies. He never trailed over the final 51 holes, leading by five shots after the second round and five shots after the third round.

There was a worrisome moment in a steady downpour early Sunday. Harman hit his drive into the grass left of the fairway on the par-5 fifth hole and had to take a penalty drop. This led to his second bogey of the round.

Rahm, playing in the group ahead, was trying to get one of those breaks that would come for big winners. His drive landed in the bushes, making for a slightly shorter shot from the green and birdies.

The lead was down to three shots. The rain was not stopping. The rest of the links, with the pressure that comes at a major on Sunday, was still ahead of him.

Harman made a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 sixth, a 25-foot birdie putt on the next hole and was on his way.

Corey Connors (76) of Listowel, Ont., tied for 52nd at 4 over.