Harrington relishing US Senior Open test after bogey-free 65 moves him into the lead

Ronan MacNamara
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Padraig Harrington (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Ronan MacNamara

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Pádraig Harrington rolled back the years as he shot a bogey-free round of 65 to take the halfway lead at the US Senior’s Open in Saucon Valley. 

Harrington, making his debut in this event, holds a one-stroke lead over Steve Stricker and the pair will go head to head on Saturday in the final group with the Dubliner looking to avenge a record-breaking Ryder Cup defeat at the hands of Stricker’s US charges. 

The 50-year-old was pleased with his performance over the two days and while he has been surprised by the difficulty of the golf course he feels it plays to his strenghts. 

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“I played really well yesterday, creating an awful lot of chances. I was happy with the level par even though it could have been a lot lower,” said Harrington who finished his second round with three birdies in six holes to leapfrog Stricker.

“I knew with the better weather today, just stay patient. I holed a few putts. They didn’t drop yesterday, and I holed a few putts on the first few greens and that gives you momentum. 

“It’s a much stronger test than I expected. This is way, way tougher than our regular Champions Tour events. I knew this was a big advantage to me starting the week, both length-wise and being able to play from the rough if I am in the rough. 

“Certainly this is a real strong test. This is a big golf course, well set up. I know it’s gotten a little soft, so the scoring is better because of that. Certainly I’m very impressed with the USGA,” added the three-time major champion. 

Harrington has been nursing a troublesome knee having got surgery on it five years ago. The Champions Tour events are usually 54 holes but the US Open is a full 72-hole strokeplay event something he isn’t too keen on as he manages his left knee this week. 

“No, the physicality of 72 holes is tough at this stage. I don’t hit as many balls now because of it. I’ve got to take it easier. I carry a few injuries, and you just have to mind yourself. 

“I don’t relish 72 holes. I suppose, if this is what you’re really asking, I knew yesterday’s bad side of the draw didn’t make any difference. I knew I had time to catch up, so I didn’t — nobody got away yesterday, and I didn’t do myself any harm shooting par. 

“If that’s what you mean, yes. If it’s a 54-hole event maybe you would be thinking, you know, you don’t want to be on the wrong side of the draw. But with 72 holes and it being a U.S. Open, everybody, even myself, when you get in that lead you tighten up and a get a little bit cautious. 

“It was one of those, yeah, wrong side of the draw, but it didn’t make much difference,`’ added Harrington who broke his driver this morning. 

Darren Clarke missed the cut on ten-over after a seven-over 78. 

 Scores HERE

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