It put him two up at lunch and soon that was three, but with the vast majority of the crowd probably expecting the younger man to prevail from there Woosnam got better and Harrington got worse.

Harrington was asked afterwards if he was angry at the manner of his latest near-miss.

"I'm disgusted more than angry," he said. "I absolutely, totally and utterly let it slip - 100%.

"The ball was totally in my court. It was absolutely up to me, but I made it a lot easier for Ian. He was under no pressure all the way through the back nine.

"I certainly lost concentration. Why is the unanswered question. I didn't feel tired, so no excuses there.

"The run (of second places) does not bother me in the slightest. Finishing second some weeks can be very good. But individual tournaments like this do bother me.

"There have been three or four of these. I certainly don't feel as though I like to finish the job off. Something is changing coming down the stretch.

"Without a doubt that is happening. I am reasonably patient, but I am losing patience."