PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON admitted yesterday he is in a race against time to have his game in good enough shape to win a third successive British Open title.
“If I’m going to play well in the Open it’s got to start now – I’m running out of time,” said Harrington on the eve of the French Open at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris.
The Dubliner has missed his last four halfway cuts – and five of the last six – during a nightmare run after deciding to make swing changes despite his back-to-back major wins last season.
But he added: “I’m always optimistic and I still believe I am going to be ready. But, then again, I thought I would be ready for the US Open.”
That was Harrington’s last tournament and he had two rounds of 76 at Bethpage Black to crash out by eight shots. He finished joint 137th of the 156 players.
Because of his triumphs at Carnoustie, Birkdale and Oakland Hills, Harrington still finds himself joint second favourite – behind Tiger Woods, of course – for Turnberry. But it is a demonstration of where he is at right now that he is only joint-fourth favourite for this week behind Ryder Cup team-mates Ian Poulter, runner-up to him last July, Lee Westwood and Soren Hansen.
Without a top-10 finish since January Harrington ranks an incredible 195th out of 212 in driving accuracy on the European Tour this season.
“I’m still trying to find the magic stick that goes straight and long,” he commented. “Aren’t we all?”
Harrington has been experimenting with different drivers and gives no guarantee that the one he settles on for today’s opening round is the one he will stick with.
Three days were spent with coach Bob Torrance last week, but the work was not only to bed in the changes as much as possible.
“At the US Open my backswing had totally gone off. We were not trying to change that, but I was focusing so much on my downswing. Last week we were doing a lot of covering of old stuff, putting things back in position.
“For my preparations to be spot-on I should not be tinkering with my swing. I am well capable of winning when I have not prepared properly, but it reduces the chances.”
Harrington also defends his Irish PGA title at The European Club next week before heading to Scotland and of the two tournaments he states: “It’s more important that I play well (in terms of ball-striking) rather than perform well (in terms of his results).
“I do need these two weeks to show myself some form. Having not performed very well I need a certain level of confidence going into the Open and it’s important I show signs of having control over the ball. I’d like to score well too, but other things can affect that. I don’t need the results, but I do need to play well.”
Long term, however, the 37-year-old is excited about the prospects of adding to his three majors. “I’ve never been more enthusiastic or more positive about my game going forward.
“It’s still not bedded in and I will not be going to the first tee here with it automatic, but I’m thrilled with what I see when it’s good. I’m always trying to improve and sometimes there are short-term sacrifices for long-term gains.”
Poulter, on the other hand, feels he has everything in place for his attempt to go one better than last year. Except for one thing, that is. Having based himself in Florida for the first half of the year he returned to the heat of Britain last week wishing he had had air-conditioning installed in his home.
This is his first tournament in Europe since the Volvo Masters almost eight months ago. He has not won in that time, but did have another notable second place behind Henrik Stenson at the Players Championship in May and has risen to 16th in the world.
That is only five places behind the sliding Harrington. This time last year there were 28 spots between them.
As well as Harrington, there is a strong Irish challenge with Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane, Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Shane Lowry, Michael Hoey, Gary Murphy and Gareth Maybin all competing.
The Lowdown
Course:Le Golf National, Paris
Length:7,225 yards. Par: 71.
Prizemoney:€4 million (€666,660 for the winner).
Layout:Stadium course was reduced from par 72 to a 71 with the par-five 18th becoming a 470-yard par four across water. The remaining three par fives are all reachable in two. Undulating, exposed in places, with bentgrass greens and plenty of water hazards
Field:156.
Defending champion:Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.
On TV:Sky Sports 2 from 9.30am
Weather forecast:Mixed. Mostly sunny today and Saturday, mostly wet on Friday and Sunday.
