Brian KeoghComment

Harrington braced for back nine battle

Brian KeoghComment

Padraig Harrington. Picture: Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington took just 24 hours to change his tune on Atlanta Athletic Club.

The Dubliner played the front nine on Monday and predicted low scoring on a 7,400-yard track he described as a “nice playable course.” But after tackling the back nine in 90 degree temperatures he’s now bracing himself for a wild ride.

He said: “It’s a lot tougher. Much tougher than the front nine.

“The 10th, 11th and 12th are okay but from the 15th on it’s a different story.

“If you need to make a par four down the last here to win the tournament and you do, then you deserve it. Definitely.”

He knows there is no hiding place on the tight, 507-yard 18th where water lurks off the tee and in front of the green.

He said: “The 18th is tough. Very tough. That hole is going to cause a lot of problems. Absolutely.”

Majors, PGA TourBrian KeoghFedEx Cup, Padraig Harrington, US PGA, Wyndham Championship1 Comment

Harrington at a career crossroads

Padraig Harrington and caddie Ronan Flood on the 18th at Atlanta Atheltic Club during the third round of the US PGA Championship. Picture by Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington turns 40 at the end of the month and arrives at that milestone wondering where is career is going. Asked if he stood at a crossroads with feelings of excitement or trepidation, he said: “Both.”

It’s no wonder.

Majors, PGA TourBrian KeoghFedEx Cup, Padraig Harrington, US PGA, Wyndham Championship1 Comment
Architecture, MajorsBrian KeoghPadraig Harrington, Royal Lytham and St Annes, The OpenComment

Harrington braced for Lytham driving test

Padraig Harrington believes that driving it straight will be the key to winning the Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in July.Two-time champion Pádraig Harrington is bracing himself for a serious driving test in The Open when he chases a third Claret Jug at Royal Lytham and St Annes from July 19-22.

The 40-year old Dubliner, who finished 18th in 1996 and 37th behind David Duval on The Open’s last visit to the Lancashire course in 2001, played a practice round at the 7,086-yard, par-70 track on Wednesday.

Architecture, MajorsBrian KeoghPadraig Harrington, Royal Lytham and St Annes, The OpenComment
MajorsBrian KeoghPadraig Harrington, Royal Lytham and St Annes, The OpenComment

Harrington back in the major conversation

Padraig Harrington is happy - very happy - with his game heard into the Open. He also has a new (temporary) endorsement on his cap in GoFuzed.com. The Dubliner is an investor in the company, which offers social media solutions for business. Picture Fran Caffrey www.golffile.iePadraig Harrington insists he’s back with a bang as a major contender and ready to join the immortals with three Claret Jugs to their name.
MajorsBrian KeoghPadraig Harrington, Royal Lytham and St Annes, The OpenComment
World Golf ChampionshipsBrian KeoghGraeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, WGC-Accenture Match PlayComment

McDowell survives Harrington comeback

Graeme McDowell was relieved to beat Padraig Harrington 2 up in Tucson. Picture: Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieGraeme McDowell got a scary glimpse of the competitive animal inside Padraig Harrington before surviving a dramatic back nine comeback to beat him on the 18th and set up a second round showdown with Sweden’s Alex Noren in the weather-delayed WGC-Accenture Match Play.
World Golf ChampionshipsBrian KeoghGraeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, WGC-Accenture Match PlayComment