It could have been more and it probably should have been more but Pádraig Harrington impressed in Doha as he opened the Qatar Masters with a one-under 71 on the occasion of his 500th DP World Tour start.
Harrington perhaps didn’t hole as many putts as he should have on the back nine as he hit 13 greens in regulation overall, resulting in two birdies on the par fives 9th and 10th, but he managed to limit the mistakes to just one bogey on 15 after an errant tee shot forced him to lay up 150 yards short of the green.
It leaves the three-time major winner in a share of 47th position, six shots behind Patrick Reed and Daniel Hillier, and he enjoyed his first visit back to Doha GC since 2003.
“It’s hard to remember back that far! The course is in great condition, it’s a lovely course, it has improved over the years with some new tees out there,” said the 54-year-old who was regularly driving the ball past his playing partners Matt Wallace and Andy Sullivan.
“Doesn’t seem as difficult as it was back then I remember it being very windy back in the day, I’m sure that hasn’t changed but the golf course has matured into itself.”
Harrington still remains one of the longest on tour with his high hands in the backswing and ferocious footwork on the way down. But this isn’t something he developed naturally. As an amateur playing on the sloping hills of Stackstown Golf Club he relied heavily on his short game even into his early years as a professional.
But he has always kept up with the times and has become a very impressive ball striker, even more so in his senior years.
“At the time I hit a low pull cut and I was very short off the tee. I got a lesson off John Jacob and gained 20-30 yards off the tee then got a Great Big Bertha driver and gained another 20 yards and never looked back. I hit it 40-50 yards once I turned pro, a big hook but it was very enjoyable.”
Harrington, looking to become the oldest winner on any tour in a career that has amassed almost 800 starts, insists he does try to enjoy his rounds as much as possible but still plays with the fear factor which he believes gave him that edge in his heyday.
“I’m full of fear. It’s not being fearless, it’s the opposite of fearless, I play much better with fear. You just have to accept it and get on with it. Trying to enjoy it is the only way I can do it now. As a younger man I worked harder and dug in, hit lots of balls and practiced and did all the things you should do as a young man but I can’t keep that pace up now.
“I just look to enjoy my weeks and get more enjoyment around it. I do as much work as I can but on the golf course I still get frustrated when things don’t go right but overall I enjoy the experience more maybe now than I would have in my younger days.”
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