Tiredness thwarts Harrington

European Open: Fatigue thwarted Padraig Harrington's ambition at The K Club, the rigours of his recent schedule leaving him a little battle- weary, a fact he acknowledged after signing for a 73 and a share of 20th place in the European Open.

A couple of bogeys in the opening brace of holes, and another at the 18th when he went for the green in two and came up short in the water, were offset by two birdies as the Irishman's effort petered out with a splutter.

"I was struggling today. I needed a good start to get me going, if you know what I mean. I putted terribly all week, to be honest. I never committed to anything, lines, putts, whatever. I am glad I don't have to play golf in that frame of mind every day.

"The thing you need on bad days is to start well. I compounded it (the poor start). I had a number of putts to get back in and I didn't hole any. I notice tiredness because I've been playing well. It shows up that bit more. I really struggled all week on the greens. I put that down to tiredness, not being focused."

His decision to take on the 18th in two on a day when players ran up Dublin telephone numbers - a surfeit of eights and nines - was reconciled by a simple mental equation. "I decided three under was better than two and the benefits were better than the loss of going from two to one.

"I'd 234 yards to the front of the green off a hanging lie. It was going to come out low, aiming left, and not going to get affected by the wind. I wouldn't take it on in a million Sundays but, then, it happened to be this Sunday," he reasoned enigmatically. "The 18th is not a very fair hole today (in this wind)."

He's not playing Loch Lomond this week, instead heading for Hoylake, venue for the British Open. "I'm going to chill out over the next few days and think about what I need to do to get ready for the Open."

He's well versed with the course, having reached the last 16 there in the British Amateur Championship and won all his singles matches in the Home Internationals.

"It's a very flat course. I know the left-to-right wind on the back nine gets very difficult at Hoylake. I wouldn't have a problem with a windy day; don't mind whatever conditions I have to play in anywhere these days.

"Yes, it makes it a bit of a lottery, in that I may have an edge, but if things don't go right for you, like everyone else, you might get blown over.

"I do have an edge, because I am used to playing in the wind and still have a good ball flight for the wind. A couple of windy days and two nice would be ideal."

There was just time for Harrington to reject an assertion from US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman that being an Irishman at The K Club this September would be even more arduous.

"How can you add pressure to the Ryder Cup? You are already at the max, at boiling point. It doesn't go up any more, you can't add any more pressure," said the Dubliner.