DON’T RULE CLARET JUG
FIT-AGAIN HARRINGTON WILLING TO PUT HIS NECK
PADRAIG HARRINGTON returns to the scene of his 2008 Open victory this week and plans to enjoy every single minute of it.
The three-time Major champion did not practice over the winter months and had surgery in March to release a trapped nerve in his neck.
But Harrington, 45, is adamant he could not be in better shape and has a tip for the golfing world before teeing up at the first at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.
The man who also won at Carnoustie said: “If I was the general public, I would go out and find the most obscure bet they can find on me and put a £1 on it.
“I will do it. I’m an optimist. I have to create my own reality and believe it, even if it is no-one else’s.
“My swing has turned a corner and the only thing I’m disappointed in right now is my chipping.
“I’m No.1 in scrambling around the greens on the PGA Tour and that is what I’m disappointed with! But mentally I’ve done a lot of work and couldn’t be better.”
Harrington won the second of his two Opens at Royal Birkdale and, right now, could not be in a happier more content place.
His golf at Dundonald Links during this week’s Scottish Open has shown that to be the case.
While he will be disappointed with yesterday’s round of 79, there was a lot to admire about his opening knocks of 67 and 68.
And the Dubliner still remembers how good his golf was on the Sunday of the 2008 Open.
He said: “I played the game that I dreamed of playing as a kid. I swung the club well – did everything right.
“Now, content is the word. When I come back for the Open I have to make sure I take time to take a deep breath and look around.
“Enjoy everything. I’m not saying I’m retired now but anything I do now in the game of golf will be a bonus.
“I’m on the ultimate busman’s holiday at this stage and I intend to embrace that.”
Harrington cannot wait to get out at Birkdale after returning last week for a look around the scene of his triumph – and enjoy a cup of tea in the clubhouse.
He said: “I didn’t play but it was nice to get back, see people and also see the golf course.
“I have had experience twice of defending an Open and while I’m not this time, it’s kind of like that.
“There’s more stress. There’s more things going on, more people wanting to stop you and talk to you, ‘Do you remember that shot,’ and, ‘I was there that day’.”
It was on his visit to Birkdale that he also reflected on the shortcomings of Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy – who has been stuck on four Majors since winning the 2014 USPGA