Padraig Harrington’s 80/1 odds of a third Open Championship could shorten after he remained in contention heading to the weekend rounds of the Scottish Open near Inverness.
The double Open winner from passed a second straight Castle Stuart test adding a three under par 69 to move five under tied with fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell and just three shots behind Sweden’s Alex Noren who posted a bogey-free 66 to move to eight under par.
Padriag Harrington’s 80/1 odds of winning The Open surely must shorten staying in contention at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
Korean-born Kiwi Danny Lee (66) and England’s Eddie Pepperell (67) are next best at seven under par.
Lee, 25 is teeing up in northern Scotland after the recent West Virginia floods killed 23 people and also cancelled this week’s PGA Tour Greenbrier Classic that Lee was due to defend.
But in a superb gesture, Lee is donating $US 500 for every birdie he records this week along with $US 1,000 for any eagle, and after posting 11 birdies over the two days has assured $US 5,500 will be headed to the flood relief fund.
“I won the Greenbrier Classic last year, and it was my first PGA Tour win, and I was looking forward to defending my title and interacting with a lot of the fans, as the people were very nice to me,” he said.
“It’s really unfortunate what happened there, and hopefully I can make a little difference to the lives of the people affected so that’s why I am trying to make as many birdies as possible to a little bit of help.”
Harrington and McDowell, who also shot a 69, share eighth place on five under par and with Harrington drawing plenty of support despite being in the company of eight-time European No. 1 Colin Montgomerie.
“I’ve had a couple of nice weeks with some great support last week in France and now good support playing alongside Monty,” he said.
“I have been playing second fiddle to Monty but then it’s quite important to have crowd support as there’s nothing wrong with a little massaging of your ego.
“If you’ve got support and people are out there cheering for you, there’s a bit of a swagger in your step.”
Well, there should be plenty of punters no doubt noticing the swagger in Harrington’s game ahead of a 21st Open Championship appearance next Thursday at Royal Troon.
Paddy Power is offering odds of 80/1 on Harrington and with Rory McIlroy the top Irishman at 8/1.
However Harrington again will confuse his closest followers revealing: “I’m fascinated by what’s happening mentally in my own game and physically.
“That’s keeping me interested this week. I’m not the same person I was ten years ago.
“But no matter what, I’ve got 36 holes to have a go at winning. It might be a situation that I need to have a big weekend.
“It might be a situation that if the lead stays at seven or eight under, I can just play a solid weekend and I could be right up there at the end of the tournament.”
