Despite making his third major championship cut of the season Pádraig Harrington feels he has failed to impress European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald at this week’s Open Championship.
Harrington put on a late charge to make the halfway cut on the number and did the same on Saturday with birdies on 15 and 18 helping him recover to a two-over 73 for a share of 70th on five-over, but after having a conversation with Donald at the start of the week about what he needs to do to catch his attention, he feels an opportunity has passed.
“I don’t think I have contributed this week really at all. I needed more than that last weekend and this week. I think it would be ‘no’ but I have a few more events and maybe I can go and win one of them. I’m likely to play Czech and European Masters,” said the three-time major champion.
Harrington has been impressed with his game tee to green, ranking 5th in strokes gained approach but it’s been a stone cold putter that meant he was battling to make the cut rather than jostling for position at the top of the leaderboard.
“It’s not like I hit bad putts, links greens can be quite flat I just don’t seem to be able to get it right but I’ve kept hitting good putts but that’s a positive when you are missing putts,” said the Dubliner who is 145th in SG putting.
“I’m missing a lot of chances and not creating any huge momentum, trying to stay patient. I was hoping to go out there today and get the run I didn’t get the last two days and maybe make three or four birdies in nine holes and all of a sudden you’re in the tournament but it wasn’t to be.
“The only thing that’s held me back for three days is good putts not falling the right way. If it’s your week the putt falls into the hole if it’s not your week the putt stays out, that’s the nature of links greens.”
The 51-year-old will commit to a more European schedule to aid his Ryder Cup bid which makes sense given he has made every cut on the PGA Tour including a top-10 in Texas while he was fourth in Abu Dhabi at the start of the season.
“The last couple of weeks I’ve seen a substantial improvement in my game and I like what I see, I’m very happy. I feel good about my mental game and committed to keep going down that road and I see some positive results ahead.
“I’ll play a few more in Europe, it would seem a bigger deal to try and win a European event than a Champions Tour event, I’m in good enough form to do that. Switzerland has never been a happy hunting ground for me but I like the place so go up and enjoy the week and see what comes of it.”
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