Harrington seeks major form in Memphis and Inverness

Pádraig Harrington in action at Castle Stuart. Picture by Getty ImagesPádraig Harrington might be battling to find some form - he’s 28 over for his last 12 rounds - but he’s got his major build up organised with appearances set up before the US Open and The Open.

While his website says his next event is the US Open at Merion, he has confirmed that he will tee it up in next week’s FedEx St Jude Classic at TPC Southwind in Memphis before heading to Ardmore.

Harrington has played the week before the US Open every year since 2003 and will be hoping to break a run that has seen him dip under par just once in his last 15 competitive rounds.

Since he put the belly putter in the bag for the first time in the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow nearly four weeks ago, his scoring average is 73.1

Add to that his rounds of 78 and 75 at the Masters and his stroke average is a frightening 73.66.

With the Irish PGA set for Roganstown from October 10-13, the Dubliner has opted to hone his links game for The Open at Muirfield with an appearance in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links In inverness from July 11-14, where he has finished in the top 20 for the last two years.
 
“There is no substitute for competitive play on a links course to prepare for The Open,” said Harrington, who will play the Travelers at the TPC River Highlands in Connecticut and The Irish Open on the Mongtomerie Course at Carton House between Merion and his trip to Scotland.

“You can practise all day long, but you cannot replicate the same conditions on the range as you can on a links course, especially with a scorecard in your pocket and a hugely important title on the line.
 
“The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open ticks all of those boxes. We have a great venue at Castle Stuart which provides a good test of links golf that demands all of the shots you need to compete at any Open Championship venue.

“We will also have a very strong field so the level of competition is extremely high. If you can get into contention on Sunday at the Scottish Open then you are going to take a lot of confidence into the next week.”
 
Harrington has played in the last two editions of the tournament at Castle Stuart, finishing in a tie for 14th place in 2011 and then tied 16th last year.

As for the FedEx St Jude Classic, he was  fourth in 2008, 13th last year, tied 52nd in 2011 and 56th in 2010. On the down side, he missed the cut in 2007 and 2009.