23-07-2025
Padraig Harrington hoping for rain as he hopes to add to his major haul
Padraig Harrington is praying for rain as he hopes to add the Senior Open Championship to his major haul this week.
The Dubliner won three major championships during his regular career, and he has won two more majors on the over-50s circuit, including last month's US Senior Open.
But the 53-year-old would love to add the Senior Open Championship to his glittering resume after coming very close over the past three years.
This year, the tournament returns to Sunningdale in Berkshire, a heathland course that traditionally rewards accuracy over distance.
But Harrington is hoping that the rain that has fallen on the course in recent days will play into the hands of his power game.
He said: "I'm in a good place to compete for sure. Coming down here I wasn't too sure how well this course would suit me. I know it's a great course, but it can get very fiery.
"It isn't too fiery at the moment, though, so right now I'm very happy. I'm happy with the lot we've got in front of us. I would like it to stay that way for the week. It's a little green around the greens, which is quite nice."
Harrington had the honour of hitting the opening tee shot at last week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
And although the ultra-competitive Dubliner was disappointed to miss the cut, he enjoyed the occasion.
"It was a great week for me. Obviously hitting the opening tee shot was very special; great memory.
"Being in Ireland is so exciting. The crowds were fantastic. I think the golf course was fantastic. The players really love it.
"You know, a great winner too in Scottie Scheffler. Mightn't have been the most exciting finish in golf, but it was a great winner. So all in all, a great week."
In 2022, Darren Clarke held off the challenge of Harrington to become only the fourth player to complete the Open Championship and Senior Open Championship double.
And the Dungannon man is playing at a course this week that he knows very well, having lived in the area for a long time.
Clarke said: "I used to play a lot of golf at Sunningdale. I lived just a couple minutes away.
"I'm staying at the other course this week as I'm a member of Queenwood, which is very nice.
"I've got the best of both worlds. But any chance you come and play Sunningdale is always wonderful."
The 56-year-old finished third when the Senior Open was last held at Sunningdale, and is hoping for another big week.
"The course is wonderful. Not quite as fiery as it was then. Fairways are a little bit softer. Greens are a little bit softer right now.
"But if it dries out a little bit, I'm sure we'll get it that little bit more fiery that I'm more used to Sunningdale playing like."
