There is general surprise today among the European Tour’s rank-and-file that Ireland’s Padraig Harrington is competing in the 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier at Walton Heath.

The triple Major winner has plenty of support despite the rainy and cold conditions at the Walton Heath Golf Club located to the south of London close to the M-25 orbital motorway.

It is the first time in his career Harrington’s had to qualify for a U.S. Open after his five-year exemption in capturing the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills expired at the end of last year.

Just last month Harrington missed out of a first Masters for 14 years while he also was not exempt for the recent Players Championship in Florida.

Harrington is among some 108 players competing at Walton Heath for a dozen places into the June 12th commencing U.S. Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

And if he fails to be among the leading dozen it will be the first time in 15 years the current World No. 214 will not contest a U.S. Open.

Scotland’s Marc Warren, and a double Tour winner, summed up Harrington’s plight.

“I’m not everyone and really surprised Padraig is teeing-up at Walton Heath,” said Warren.

“I’m not sure of his world ranking but I know he’s slipped a long way down the rankings so that’s why he’s at Walton Heath.

“It’s good for spectators to have him playing but Padraig has always been someone that all the players expect to always around the top of the leader boards at tournaments and not out here trying to qualify for a U.S. Open.

“But then Padraig’s a guy you would expect can turn it around quickly, and besides there is enough spots that if he plays well enough he should get through.”

Australia’s Richard Green is a three-time Tour winner and went close to a fourth success last fortnight losing out in a play-off for the Spanish Open.

Green is teeing up at Walton Heath for a seventh occasion and with fond memories of qualifying in 2005 and the same year good friend Michael Campbell also qualified, and then went to Pinehurst to keep Tiger Woods at arms length and win by two shots.

Green also is surprised at the appearance of Harrington.

“Padraig’s been a cornerstone of the European Tour for so many years and his wins in the 2007 and 2008 Open Championship was an inspiration to all of us,” said Green.

“It’s just staggering he’s now trying to qualify for a U.S. Open and I guess it’s a reflection in the downturn of his game.

“But then he will have just as good a chance of all of us to win through to Pinehurst.”