Pádraig Harrington hopes a family holiday to Canada can help him to victory at the Shaw Charity Classic in Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club.
Harrington had intended to skip this week after an energy sapping run on both the regular tour and Champions Tour but such was his kids’ desire to visit the Great White North, the three-time major champion is here.
“That’s one of the pluses, isn’t it, seeing something new. My family traveled this week because my kids haven’t been to Canada before and they specifically said they wanted to go to Canada. So it was my choice. It’s an extra event really for me in the schedule, but my kids wanted to come to Canada, so we put this one in.
“I hope they come and watch the golf. They’re old enough now I can make them come and watch the golf. They’re not little kids anymore. Yeah, actually, the 14-year-old doesn’t enjoy the golf at all, but the 18-year-old, he likes coming out watching,” explained Harrington who feels the more relaxed nature of the Champions Tour is the perfect place to combine family time with competitive golf.
“Yeah, a fun trip overall. We’re on the road now for I think two or three weeks, yeah, it makes it a lot easier when you’re traveling with your family and have them here. You enjoy your time more.
“That’s the great thing about the Champions Tour, there obviously is less stress and pressure with the Champions Tour. Three days playing in a cart I think will be quicker and easier and all that stuff, so you do have more time to spend with your family. I think on the regular tour there’s a lot of time pressure when you’re putting in all the hours practicing and physio and gym and all that. This tour’s a little bit more relaxed.
The Dubliner is making his first appearance since agonisingly missing out on back-to-back senior majors to Darren Clarke a fortnight ago.
The US Senior Open winner came from nowhere in Gleneagles to pile the pressure on his compatriot. A six-under back nine including two closing birdies after a rain delay forced the issue but Clarke showed his mettle to birdie the last and win by one.
Harrington hopes to brush off the jet lag ahead of a jaunt at his second seniors win.
“My game has been in great shape and actually getting better. I’m doing the right things. It’s a bit of a struggle today, I’ve had eight days off and been working on things so your head’s a bit messed up. And travel, just a long day yesterday, probably 16 hours of travel in total yesterday from start to finish. Yeah, I was pretty tired today, the legs are feeling it now. Another day tomorrow and I should be ready for Friday.”
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