Harrington too busy for Open excitement

Padraig Harrington insists he's not getting excited about his chances of winning The Open three years on the spin.

With just 15 days to go before he attempts the "threepeat" at Turnberry, he's more worried about finding some form.

Harrington just nine months ago.He said: “I have a lot of work to do, and I would be excited if I was on top form but no, I am thinking more about getting my game in shape.

“I hit the ball better than I’ve ever hit it out here on Monday afternoon but I’ve hit it the worst I’ve ever hit it this morning. That's the nature of the game."

After spending the afternoon on the range testing drivers and wedges, Harrington compared his current slump to 1998, when he first changed his swing with Bob Torrance, missed six cuts and "only" finished 29th in the Order of Merit.

He said: “That third year on the tour would be the most similar to what I am going through now.

“But I am not looking for the changes to just ‘click-in’. It doesn't work like that. There’s one thing for sure - there is no going back.”