Harrington not superstitious

Padraig Harrington has dismissed a big Open superstition as “pure coincidence.”

The Dubliner is bidding to become the first man to win a hat-trick of Claret Jugs since Aussie legend Peter Thomson in 1956. Just don’t expect him to believe "The European Club Theory."

In 2007 Harrington won the Irish PGA in a play-off at the Wicklow venue and then captured the Open after a play-off with Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie.

Last year he won the Irish PGA by four shots and then won the Open by four shots at Royal Birkdale.

Asked if he’d win the Open by SEVEN this week, Harrington said: “How many people would be putting money on that? That’s all pure co-incidence. I am not superstitious.”

Thomson is one of just four players to win three or more Opens in a row.

Young Tom Morris, Jamie Anderson and Bob Ferguson did it in the 19th century but others like Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods have all failed to complete the hat-trick in recent years.

1963 - Arnold Palmer. Tied 26th at Royal Lytham & St. Annes after wins in 1961 and 1962

1973 - Lee Trevino. Tied 10th at Troon, 13 shots behind Tom Weiskopf.

1984 - Tom Watson. T2nd at St Andrews with Bernhard Langer, two behind Seve Ballesteros. He was joint leader with Ian Baker-Finch after three rounds.

2007 - Tiger Woods. Tied 12th at Carnoustie, five shots behind Harrington.