Back to the future - old clubs for Padraig

Padraig Harrington has gone back to his old clubs as he bids to become a four-time major winner this week.

The Dubliner wants to be the King of Clubs by using the driver and irons that earned him two Opens and a US PGA title in the space of just 13 months.

Defending his decision to go back to the Wilson Dd6+ driver he used to win at Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale and Oakland Hills, he said: "The old Wilson driver is back. I won three majors with it. Every little advantage is a help."

Harrington has also returned to the Pi5 irons he used to win his three majors though he headed out for practice yesterday with TWO sets of clubs.

Caddie Ronan Flood toted his tour bag for this week but Wilson Europe boss Doug Wright was also there with a brand new bag design containing a set of prototype irons.

The most important club in Harrington's bag will be his three-iron, which has been bent to make it run like a two-iron off the tee.

Tiger Woods hit just one driver when he won the Open at Hoylake three years ago and the world No 1 still doesn't know if he can take a similar approach this week.

He said: "It all depends on the wind. It's hard to tell if I'm going to hit 10 drivers or zero drivers. I just don't know. You just have to hit the ball well here or you just can't get around."