Harrington thrives on fear factor
Padraig Harrington had good reason to feel really confident going into the third round of the Players Championship in Florida today.
But that was the last feeling the Irishman wanted to have. Past experience has taught him that.
“I seem to play better with fear than I do with confidence basically,” said Harrington, joint fifth and only three shots behind leaders Jerry Kelly and Kevin Sutherland halfway through golf’s richest-ever event.
Last year the 32-year-old world number 13 did not feel great about his game, but led by two at the same stage, shared top spot with a round to go and eventually finished joint second.
“I get very aggressive when I am playing well. When I am not playing well I select the shots much better.
“I play defensive when I need to and when an opportunity comes around I tend to take it. I am always a better player when I am not confident.”
