Padraig Harrington Serves-Up Lesson In Links Discipline.

Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington delivered a younger generation of Irish compatriots a lesson in links discipline on the opening day of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Harrington tamed a wet and wild Royal County Down layout with seven birdies in a round of a four under par 67.

The effort was 13 shots fewer around the ‘backyard’ of World No. 1 Rory McIlroy while Harrington needed just two dozen putts and a dozen less than his fellow Open Championship and PGA Championship champion.

Harrington, who also reignited his quest to qualify for next month’s U.S. Open, ended the round tied with Belgium’s Max Kieffer at four under par.

Padraig Harrington delivers a lesson in links course management on the first day of the Irish Open.  (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Padraig Harrington delivers a lesson in links course management on the first day of the Irish Open. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Former Fota Island Irish Open winner Soren Hansen is third at two under par with 2007 GB & I Walker Cup star Danny Willett, who was third in the recent WGC – Cadillac Match-Play Championship among three players at two under par.

Just 13 players in the field of 156 managed to break par.

Biggest disappointment was the effort of World No. 1 Rory McIlroy who failed to post one birdie in a nine over par 80 and staring now at missing the halfway cut for a second week running, and being cut from a third straight Irish Open.

It was eight years ago Harrington captured a first Irish Open at Adare Manor in Co. Limerick and it proved somewhat significant as it his last regular European Tour success ahead of winning two Open Championship’s and a PGA Championship.

Harrington ended a seven-year winless drought earlier this year on the PGA Tour in capturing a second Honda Classic title, he would dearly love to end what is now an eight year drought on European soil.

Padraig Harrington  on route to a superb four under par 67.  (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Padraig Harrington on route to a superb four under par 67. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

And the now 43-year old has set about that task displaying the worth of 16 years competing on Tour in dealing with probably the toughest test the world’s best have faced anywhere this year.

“It’s a good golf course, a tough golf course and there’s a bit of wind out there, but then these golf courses are designed to be played in the wind, and there’s ways around it,” he said.

“If you use your head and you play smart, you can hit a lot of shots.  You don’t always have to go for the perfect shot.

“Yes, you do have to take some shots on, but there’s a way around any links course in these sort of conditions, and I found that today and hopefully I will find if over the next three days.”

And after the three-ball of McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Martin Kaymer commanded much of the near 20,000 spectator interest over the course of the morning, it was Harrington who they flocked to follow in the afternoon.

“Having so many people following you is encouragement,” he said.

“That’s one aspect, early on in my career I would have found difficult dealing with expectation. Now I enjoy it, take the best from it, and I don’t get down on myself if I don’t deliver on every single shot.”

Padraig Harrington acknowledges an appreciative crowd after his super score of 67.  (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Padraig Harrington acknowledges an appreciative crowd after his super score of 67. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Harrington teed-up again looking to become only the second Irishman after Harry Bradshaw (1947 & 1949) to win the Irish Open twice and he’s given himself the perfect springboard in posting his best Irish Open starting round since a 67 three years ago at Royal Portrush.

And there was no hiding Harrington’s enthusiasm at thoughts of winning a second Irish Open title.

“I know winning a Major defines your career, but there’s a lot of attention, a lot of hype when you come to your own national open, and it really does get into your head and can put your game off,” he said.

“It was like that for many years when I was starting out in my career.

“I’ve managed somehow to handle it, but then I’ve also been left disappointed. But then I do feel, whether it’s this week or another week, I feel I’m going to win again soon because if my ball-striking and my putter match up together then I’ll be right there.

“But then I do win on tough golf courses and given the mental side if the strongest part of my game, I feel I can manage myself and get on with when the golf course is tough.

“And if you look at my career most of my wins have come on the toughest of tough golf courses.”



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