Low energy Harrington keeps title defence alive

Padraig Harrington. Picture: USGA

Pádraig Harrington was relieved to escape with a three-over-par 74 after struggling with his energy levels and concentration in his US Senior Open defence in Wisconsin.

The Dubliner (51) made two birdies and three bogeys on the back nine to turn in one-over-par at SentryWorld - Stevens Point, where traditional, thick US Open style rough is the big challenge.

But even after eating jellies to get his energy levels up, he paid a high price for some inaccuracy off the tee and covered the tough front nine in two-over, dropping a shot at the par-five fifth after a pulled tee shot into the water.

He then double-bogeyed the 487-yard sixth after another big miss into the trees left and took two more shots to find the fairway.

He bounced back with a birdie from three feet at the eighth and while he trailed early leader Rod Pampling of Australia by six shots, he feels he's still in the tournament with 54 holes to go.

"Yeah, look, I certainly got the best I could have out of the day," Harrington said. "I had one of those days you get the odd time. Doesn't your mother always tell you you're going to have days like this? It was really a struggle to focus.

"My mind was jumping about places, so bar the sixth hole, I would actually say I had a magnificent day to shoot 3-over par. Like I was never right. From the word "go", I was never comfortable. Mind was racing, and as I said, I get it once or twice a year.

"Usually don't get it two days in a row, so let's hope we get better the next three days. As I said, I did really well not to do a lot of damage today."

He added: ""Winning last week takes a lot out of you. US Open the week before, as well."

Harrington's playing partner Darren Clarke was in contention after making the turn in two-over, but he three-putted twice coming home and made four bogeys in a homeward 41 to sign for a four-over 75.

Pampling made seven birdies in a three-under 68 to lead by two shots in the clubhouse from Mike Small.

But Harrington believes he can still turn things around on a tough course.

"Just rest. Rest," he said of his plans. "Thankfully, this is a 72-hole tournament, and this is a particularly good golf course for chasing on. Somebody can go out there and shoot a good score, and you don't have to do a lot wrong to feel terrible out there.

"I think if this is a regular Champions Tour event, 54 holes, I would be done. With another 54 to go on a tough golf course, it's a really tough course but offers birdie chances.

"I have to say I found LA Country Club a lot easier than this place. I know this is shorter, but the length doesn't bother me. LA Country Club was a lot easier."

At the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club, Peter Kuest shot an eight-under 64 to lead by a shot in the clubhouse from Sam Ryder, England's Aaron Rai, Swedish rookie Ludvig Aberg and Sam Bennett.

On the DP World Tour, Former world number one Justin Rose carded a seven under par 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo to lead by one stroke from 2014 Ryder Cup teammate Jamie Donaldson at The Belfry.

But Tom McKibbin and John Murphy have their work cut out to make the cut after three-over 75s left them tied for 119th at the Ryder Cup venue.

On the Challenge Tour, Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney birdied his last two holes to open with a four-under 68 in the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil.

The Dubliner (35) made five birdies to share ninth place and lie just four shots behind Sweden's Christopher Feldborg, who fired an impressive bogey-free seven under par 65 to lead by one shot from home favourite Grégory Bourdy and Englishman Jamie Rutherford.

Portmarnock's Conor Purcell also made five birdies in a three-under 69 in Normandy to share 21st place with Ballymena's Dermot McElroy, also inside the cut line after a 71.

Jonny Caldwell's 72 left him tied for 72nd, but Paul Dunne has his work cut out after a 76 while Ruaidhri McGee and Cormac Sharvin are near the back of the field after posting 78s.

On the Ladies European Tour, Spain's Carmen Alonso carded made an eagle and six birdies in an eight-under 64 to lead the weather-delayed Ladies Open By Pickala Rock Resort in Finland, where Olivia Mehaffey was four-over through 12 holes when play was suspended.

In Sweden, Douglas amateur Sara Byrne made a solid debut in her first professional when she opened with a one-under 71 in the LET Access Tour'st Vasteras Open to share 10th place, just three shots behind Australia's Amy Walsh.

In the weather-delayed European Amateur Championship in Estonia, Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley carded a nine-under 63 to move to fifth place on 14-under par, two shots behind Wales’s James Ashfield and Spain’s Jose Ballester.

Kilkenny’s Mark Power shot 65 to share 10th place on 12-under.