Harrington proving age no barrier in seizing early Scottish Open clubhouse lead

Fatiha Betscher, Renaissance club, Scotland.

Padraig Harrington continues to show age is no barrier moving into the early clubhouse lead early afternoon on day two of the Genesis Scottish Open.

Harrington, who turns 52 at the end of next month, grabbed six birdies in a four-under-par 66 and head to lunch at seven-under in overcast conditions on the host Renaissance course.

The triple major-winning Harrington is the oldsest in this year’s 41^st hosting of the Scottish Open.

It was raining when Harrington was out at 7.15am in the first match off the 10th tee and the triple major winner took full advantage going out in a four-under 31 thanks to birdies at the 13^th, 14^th, 16^th and 18^th holes. While anhy birdie is a great score, the pick of the four being his 249-yard second shot at the par-4 18^th hole that he landed to just 18 inches.

Heading into his inward nine, and the opening half on the scorecard, Harrington bogeyed the first but was again on the move with birdies at six and seven before a second bogey of his round at the eighth hole.

And with the treat of more rain, Harrington was delighted to be headed to the comfort of the clubhouse

“We had the rain when we started. I hit a great drive off my first hole of the day, 80 yards short of where I hit it yesterday,” he said. “The marshals were a full 50 yards away from where they should have been for the first three, four holes because they had no idea how short the ball was going. Holes that were driving sand wedges yesterday were driving 4-iron today.

“That early morning weather, that’s the first time I’ve ever been out first, and yeah, I was hoping that I might turn up and get a break with the weather but we kind of got the opposite.

“Then it lightened up obviously after six or seven holes. The ball started going a bit and it got a little easier then”.

And with Harrington heading into a 26^th Open Championship next week, the winner of two Claret Jugs could not be happier.

“I feel I can challenge anybody on a links golf course route a doubt”, he said smiling.

“From years of playing, it comes natural to me. And I don’t have a problem coming back and playing with the young guys on any golf course, but obviously links make it a little easier for me.

“So, I am comfortable, no doubt. I’m comfortable here at the Renaissance and I should know more about this golf course than nearly any other player. Maybe Stevie Gallacher (smiling) would know a little bit more, but I’m very familiar”.