Pádraig Harrington might be a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame but he has nothing but respect for his rivals as he begins his quest for a second US Senior Open win today.

The 2022 champion (52) is joined at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island by his 1995 Walker Cup-winning teammate Jody Fanagan from Milltown, who qualified by finishing runner-up in last year’s US Senior Amateur.

But he will have one eye on defending champion Bernhard Langer (66), who is bidding for his 13th senior major win just four months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon playing pickleball.

“Bernhard's win here last year has got to be one of the greatest achievements in the game of golf,” Harrington said. “That golf course last year was so long…

“It was a phenomenal win. And I played with him last week again, and my two kids said to me after the round they just couldn't believe how good he was.

“It’s incredible how good he is. It's astounding. He still gets it out there. He's a good ball striker. He's efficient. But by God, does he know how to play golf.”

Harrington is one of the favourites for the title after he won the Dick’s Open on Sunday for the third time in a row.

Lee Westwood makes his Senior debut but while Tiger Woods does not turn 50 until December next year, Harrington has no problem with the 15-time major winner being exempt in the Signature Events on the main tour.

“He's earned it,” he said. “He's earned it ten times over.”

Meanwhile, Holywood’s Tom McKibbin has a chance this week to clinch his place in The Open as two spots at Royal Troon are available via qualifying series at the Italian Open.

There’s also a spot at Troon for the winner of the European Amateur Championship in Denmark, where Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy opened with a four-under 68 to lie a shot behind leader Preston Summerhays.