There’s more than one milestone in the celebratory air around St Andrews. There is, of course, the sesquicentennial – the 150th staging – of the Open itself, with reminders everywhere should anyone forget; but it also marks the 25th time that Pádraig Harrington has competed in the championship, one which he has left an indelible mark on.
A two-time champion, back-to-back at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008, Harrington first played at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1996 and has missed only one ever since, the 2005 championship on the Old Course which was played the week in which his father, Paddy, passed away.
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For Harrington, the Open is part of his DNA; he’s the father who acquiesced to his young son’s request to put ladybirds in the Claret Jug, the man who led the way for the golden generation of Irish golfers who followed him in lifting the famous trophy.
This is a special championship, the 150th. But that hasn’t added any extra pressure. As Harrington put it, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s The Open full stop . . . . you’re at full capacity. Adding in 150th is incredibly special. Adding in St Andrews is incredibly special. But I was already maxed out coming to The Open. It’s the same challenge for me as it would be every year. I really get up for this. This is what it’s all about. The four Majors, yes, but more so at my age, The Open championship!”
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At 50 years of age, Harrington – swinging the club faster than at any time in his career – isn’t here simply to make up the numbers. As he showed in winning the US Seniors Open last month, and then in shooting a 64 in the second round of the JP McManus pro-am, the Dubliner is in good form and has never let the prospect of tough conditions get to him.
“I’m happy with how I’m playing most weeks. I’ve turned the corner with my putting. I have possibilities. It’s a links course which suits me. You’ve got to play well. You’ve got to drive it well . . . . all I can say is, it hasn’t all come together yet. I’ve had good days driving, good days irons, good days short game, good days putting. But I haven’t put it all together yet. I’m just waiting for that,” said Harrington.
Maybe this is the week?
“I’ve got a big week in me somewhere. I haven’t maxed myself out this year in terms of everything going right on a given week. But everything doesn’t have to go right. I’m going to make mistakes out there. I’m comfortable if I do my own thing. I can be right there in with a chance coming down the stretch, when we know anything can happen.”
What we know is that Harrington is a different beast when in the thick of it. He’s not one to back off, or to show fear.
“No doubt when I’ve got into contention in recent years, I’ve upped my game under that pressure. I always look forward to that adrenaline. I believe I’m playing well enough to get myself into that position with nine holes to go. And with nine holes to go, anything can happen. If I’ve a chance, I’d be more likely to take it on and take on all the shots coming home, risk everything to get a win,” he said.
Harrington has prepared diligently, as ever, for this latest – his 25th – appearance in the championship. From fresh-faced, fledgling professional in 1996 through the years to the hardened professional with an eye on the prize.
“On any links course you have a chance and going into other ones I probably would have felt I needed a big week whereas I don’t feel like that this week. I feel like I just need a normal week here and I’ll be there or thereabouts.”
