Harrington admits he overdoes it

GOLF/BRITISH OPEN: There is not another European in the British Open next week who can match Pádraig Harrington's three major titles.

But the Dubliner has made a frank admission: it was the fear of failure that turned him into one of the hardest workers in golf and overdoing things cost him tournaments.

Harrington has now warned of the danger of burnout for any player who thinks the only way to reach the top is to devote their whole life to the sport.

“I was so afraid of not playing well and not making the cut I over-practised,” he said. “I was flogged by Sunday. I played better golf, but scored worse because I was making bad decisions.

“There was a time I’d keep things to myself, but I’m getting to an age now where I’m not so worried about telling people.

“I still believe I’m guilty of overdoing my golf. I think there’s a balance to everything, and if all you’re doing is working on your fitness and your game you won’t last more than a couple of years before you go off the rails.

“You would burn out very quickly if that’s all there is. I’m sure he does not mind me quoting him, but you would end up like David Duval, winning the Open Championship and going ‘Is that it?’ There has to be more to your life.”

Harrington gave an example of what he would put himself through that simply staggered a listening Colin Montgomerie when they talked in London earlier this week.

Montgomerie believes he has been able to keep going as long as he has because he kept practice to a minimum, but his former Ryder Cup partner recalled how he once spent four hours in the heat of Malaysia just hitting drivers off the ground with no tee pegs.

“The range overlooked a swimming pool and I’m sure there were people saying ‘who’s that idiot over there?’ I closed every range on the Tour for a number of years – and I got injuries because of it.

“Look at all my second places (29 by his reckoning alongside 20 Tour wins). Most of those were caused because I over-practised.

“Sunday takes twice the mental effort. Monty won so many tournaments (38) because he was fresh. I lost more because I was just worn out by that stage.”

US TOUR:Chez Reavie shot to the top of the leaderboard after a round of 62 saw him emerge with the early clubhouse lead at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.

The American, who shot a first-round 66, had an eagle at the second hole, immediately followed by two birdies.

Reavie sunk nine birdies in all and two bogeys to finish on 14 under, two strokes ahead of Steve Marino.

Marino remains second after a round of 66 that included an eagle on the second, a bogey on the fifth and four birdies to move to 12 under par.

Jhonattan Vegas moved up to third after a 64 as he looks for his second Tour win.

EUROPEAN AMATEURS:A week which started so well for Ireland's amateurs will end disappointingly today without any team collecting a medal in the European Championships.

The Boys team, playing over the Prague City course, are certain to fare the best after they overcame Finland 4-1 yesterday and will today meet Germany in the play-off for fifth place.

Jack Hume and Alex Gleeson were in fine form taking the foursomes against Erik Myllymaki and Aleksi Tanninen 4 and 3, and then the in-form Dermot McElroy made it 2-0 with a 4 and 3 success against Kristian Kuiokorpi.

Gavin Moynihan wrapped things up with a last-gasp triumph – and just for good measure Gary Hurley won as well.

In the Senior championship at Victoria Vilamoura in Portugal, Ireland went down 3½-1½ to Scotland and will today clash with Finland for seventh spot.

Crucial was the 22nd hole defeat of Portstewart’s Paul Cutler by British Amateur Championship runner-up Michael Stewart. In the end, the only Irish winner was Paul Dunne who overwhelmed Kris Nicol 5 and 4.

Ireland’s Women battled bravely against France at Murhof, Austria, before slipping to a 3-2 defeat.

Leona Maguire continued her rich vein of form, overcoming Perrine Petit 3 and 2. Maguire smashed the course record on Wednesday, firing a brilliant eight-under-par 64, and then won both her matches.

Stephanie Meadow of Royal Portrush also won yesterday but the other three points went France’s way.

Now Ireland will face Denmark in their quest for seventh place.

The Girls team, the only side not to make the top flight, did have some success yesterday, beating Turkey 3-2 in Flight B and they now take on Austria today for 13th place.

Jessica Carty and Chloe Ryan won their singles while Olivia Mehaffey and Hannah Henderson ended on top in the foursomes.