IRELAND’S PADRAIG HARRINGTON put aside a season marred by injury to muscle his way into a three-shot clubhouse lead with a round of 68 on day two of the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links on Friday.
The 45-year-old will return to Royal Birkdale next week for the British Open, having won his second major title the last time the Southport course hosted the championship in 2008.
Rory McIlroy’s tournament is over, however, after the world number four missed the cut for the second week in succession, finishing one-over-par. Graeme McDowell survived with a four under par 68 and moves to one-under for the tournament, while Paul Dunne is tied for 20th on three under.
Harrington did not drop a shot in managing four birdies, moving to nine under par and clear of American Matt Kuchar.
The three-time major winner’s effort is his lowest opening 36-hole tally since last October when he was 13 under par en route to a 15th Tour win at the Portugal Masters.
Despite undergoing an operation earlier this year on a neck injury he incurred during the Rio Olympics last October and also the scare of a freak elbow injury last month, Harrington says he is not a bit surprised to find himself in contention.
“No, I am not surprised at all to be in this position after what has happened in my season this year,” he said.
“Not even close to being surprised as I know this will happen pretty regularly though I cannot do it on demand so I cannot tell you if it will happen next week or the week after but it will happen.
“It was very much like my win last year in Portugal and then winning the Honda Classic earlier the year before, I will throw in these efforts out-of-the-blue.
“So, I will have tournaments like this where I throw in a few good rounds and get myself into the lead, and who knows what will happen these next two days, but it is not a surprise to me.
“It is just part of the sequence of the ups and downs, and I am just waiting patiently for the ups.”
And it is not lost on Harrington that next week he will return to the scene of his second British Open triumph.
“Who knows what will happen now over the weekend as I may have blown it all come Sunday night as that it is the nature of the game and maybe I am hitting good form a week too early,” he said.
“But it would be a nice buzz going to Royal Birkdale next week as it would be great to win another major, and if I did win next week I would sit here and tell you all the reasons why it will make a difference to me.”
Kuchar had eagled his final hole on day one, and the world number 19 went out on day two to birdie his opening two holes in a round of 70 and be second on six under.
“Overnight momentum can keep going,” said Kuchar.
“Certainly, it was a great way to finish last night. It’s a rare thing to finish with an eagle. It’s a highlight to finish with a birdie, and if you get an eagle, it’s great. Come out, got off to a great start.
“So, it was a great way to get my round going.”
Overnight leader Mikko Ilonen struggled in shooting a two-over 74 and drop back to five under and tied with England’s David Horsey, who capped his round with a hole-in-one at the par-three 11th.
It was Horsey’s fourth hole-in-one on Tour, but unfortunately for the 32-year-old the offer of a new car was at the 15th hole.
- © AFP 2017
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Absolutely terrible decision that has to be a red card , high speed neck high challenge to stop a goal scoring opportunity. Very generous refereeing for Galway in that first half
Coen was a lucky boy
Terrible decision!
That was one seriously dangerous challenge and he should have walked . The short conversation with linesman had me convinced he was gone.
Hurling > football
Lower viewing figures, less participating counties…..
Hoping for a Galway win, Kilkenny will shade it no doubt!!
So the location of the match is at Old Trafford?
When did Mick McCarthy lose his lovely quiff & when did he start managing Galway ?
Boring. Kilkenny too good again. Hurling becoming a joke.
Galway resorting to Dublin tactics and being facilitated by ref
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
You mean Kilkenny tactics?
Big time bottlers are Galway, not helped by some terrible refereeing
Galway can’t complain about refereeing, got 2 points from soft overcarrying decisions and should have had 14 men for the whole 2nd half
OMG Stick Wars !!
It was disgusting to see half of the Kilkenny crowd leave before the cup was presented, talk about arrogance.
Galway could have won it but the Cats ‘re the best for a reason, great second half display by them.
Maybe next year Galway…
Well done, Galway. A few stats! Galway all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs, and 2nd best Senior team in the country…and the Ladies to come yet…Not bad, I suggest…
Keep it going, Galway.
Great Kilkenny team, no argument. But they will be stopped sometime!!
How can the 42 not get the full time score correct?
Great Galway display, against an indisputable set of Kilkenny legends. No doubt about that. But just remember a little stat (to the knockers!). Galway= all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs and 2nd best Seniors in the country and all for 2015. And the Ladies Camogie has to come yet in the all Ireland… Not bad stats? So, Galway, well done, a credit to yourselves. And under great leadership.
Man of the stadium: Messi
Jonny Ryan a legend