Harrington's timing just right

Irish PGA:Pádraig Harrington's form for his Open defence at Turnberry next weekend looks decidedly healthier this afternoon after the three-time major winner won the Irish PGA with seven strokes to spare at The European Club near Brittas.

For the past two years the Dubliner has gone on from the European Club to The Open and won that as well, but the big difference this time is that he has missed his last five halfway cuts on the European and American tours.

Nevertheless, he was one of seven players to shoot a one-over-par 72, the best score of the day in testing conditions, for a one under finish.

Brian McElhinney in second place on six over was another, but there was never any serious challenge to former world number two, who opened with two birdies before a double bogey at the seventh undid the early progress.

Birdies at the 10th and the 16th were cancelled out by three bogey fives at the 12th, 15th and 17th but the field had been cut adrift at that stage as the weather and Harrington won out.

Richard Noel Kilpatrick from Banbridge was on his own in third after a 74, while England’s Simon Thornton and Brendan McGovern of Headfort finished in eight-over-par.