Padraig Harrington confessed he would do ‘damage’ if here to have stayed at home and not contested this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.
The Triple Major winner heads into the second round on three under par and a topsy turvy first round on the Gil Hanse designed course to the east of Inverness.
Padraig Harrington and David Mitchell with the triple Major winner honoured with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver commemorative Special Olympics silver coin.
He was three under par after just seven holes in holing a 20-foot putt at the 12th or this third hole, a 14-foot birdie at his fifth and then a five-footer at his seventh.
However the current World No. 60 dropped back-to-back shots at his 11th and 12th holes ahead of birdies at 13 and 14.
“If I hadn’t lost shots on those two holes, it would have turned it into a very nice round but then it was it is,” he said.
And with the British Open now less than a week away Harrington admitted the last thing he needed was a week off heading into golf’s oldest major.
“If I was at home this week I would be doing damage, and I would be tinkering too much with my game,” he said.
“So being here I am getting into my game and I am focusing on the tournament. I am getting match fit this week whereas if I was at home I would be getting fit but not match fit.
“What I need more than most this week in match fitness.”
Meantime –
Harrington found himself the recipient of a special Olympics accolade while competing at Castle Stuart.
David Mitchell, from nearby Inverness, presented the triple Major winner with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Commemorative Silver Coin in recognition of the Irishman’s dedication to the movement which provides sports training and competition for children and adults with learning disabilities.
Since becoming a global ambassador for the Special Olympics two years ago, Harrington has taken part in golf clinics for athletes and coaches and he has also taken to wearing red laces in his golf shoes to promote a message of respect, inclusion and acceptance for all people with learning disabilities.
“The work that I do for the athletes of Special Olympics is something I am proud of and I will continue to try to help and inspire them to be the best athletes they can be,” said Harrington.
“I am just happy to be able to play a part in the organisation which changes lives every day for people with intellectual disabilities and I am very pleased to have received the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Commemorative Coin.
“She made a significant difference to the lives of millions of people across the world.”
Mitchell won the gold medal in his division at the 2005 Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games in Glasgow and also silver while competing in a golf event in Denmark in 2010.
