Oh dear God, there are two of them. Just like Brian Harman, Ally Ewing is five clear at the halfway mark of the British major. Just like Harman, Ewing is 10 under after two rounds. Just like Harman, Ewing is being chased by a local favourite. And just like Harman, Ewing is from the Deep South and enjoys hunting.
Ewing, of course, is hoping to emulate Harman and go on to win her first major here at the AIG Women’s Open on Sunday and on this form even the inspired Charley Hull might struggle to stop her.
Considering the similarities between the pair and their challenges, it is little wonder Ewing is determined to follow the example of Harman, who, three weeks ago, lifted the Claret Jug 200 miles north of this Surrey heathland.
“It’s pretty cool, he’s a southerner as well, just a few states over from me in Georgia,” Ewing, the world No 39, said. “What Brian did was inspirational to a little Mississippi girl like me. You know, he had people rooting for other players and I can kind of attest to that. There is plenty in common and I hope I can emulate him.”
Inevitably, the bloodsport connection will claim the headlines. While Harman disclosed his penchant for shooting pigs and turkeys, the Ewings prefer bigger game. “My husband and I, we do mostly deer hunting, so venison,” she said.
Ewing is aware of the negativity which Harman drew for explaining his passion. “I think people can spin it the wrong way for sure,” she said. “It’s a means to eat … you put food on the table that way.”
It is highly unlikely that Ewing, 30, will face the same levels of vitriol. Harman revealed earlier this week he felt forced to have spectators evicted. “It turned hard on me on the weekend,” he said in an interview. “On Sunday, this one guy followed me from the sixth to the 10th, yelling ‘you’re going to choke’ whenever I was over the ball. He started to do it on my backswing and that meant he had to go.”
