Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington slumped to near the tail of the field after declaring a replacement for his 2008 Royal Birkdale winning 5-wood let him down on day one of the Austrian Open.
Padraig Harrington has nothing to cheer about after posting a first round 75. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Harrington is on a first visit to the country made famous by the ‘Sound of Music’ but it was the sound of bogeys and a 16th hole double bogey that soured the Irishman’s tempo.
In fact, Harrington dropped three shots over his closing three holes to end the day trailing well down the field in 85th place and already 11 shots off the lead.
“It was a disappointing finish having the first eight holes in two under par,” he said.
However Harrington admitted he was struggling from the outset after the face his 5-wood caved-in while playing in Wednesday’s Pro-Am.
It’s the same club that Harrington hit superbly to set up eagle at the 71st hole on route to victory in the 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale.
“That 5-wood has been in the bag for a good time and ever since I won at Birkdale and the replacement club today cost me four shots as I was in the water twice,” said Harrington.
“It’s a pity as I was hitting the ball so well with that club.
“It was my favourite club in the bag and it had been in there a long time and I will take it home at put it aside as I have fond memories of that club.”
Weshman Liam Bond found the shortest round around the Diamond Golf Club course with a six-under par 66.
Three players – Dane Thomas Norret, Aussie Daniel Gaunt and Dutchman Joost Luiten – are next best sharing second place on five under par.
Rookie pros and Walker Cup winning heroes Tom Whitehouse and Paul Cutler struggled on debut with Whitehouse signed for a four over par 76 and Portstewart-born Cutler a 77.
