Harrington's hopes tumble
Padraig Harrington’s hopes of becoming European number one suffered a potentially fatal blow in the first round of the Mallorca Classic.
Harrington slumped to an opening 77, seven over par, at Pula Golf Club to lie 11 shots off the clubhouse lead held by fellow Irishman Gary Murphy, Sweden’s Niclas Fasth and South African Andrew McLardy.
The 35-year-old trails Paul Casey by €218,185 in the Order of Merit with just two events remaining but added this tournament to his schedule at the last minute following his victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship earlier this month.
Victory here would take Harrington top of the money list but the Ryder Cup star looks more likely to miss the halfway cut and travel to Valderrama next week for the season-ending Volvo Masters in need of a top-three finish to have a chance of overhauling Casey.
“I didn’t play very well at all and a change of wind direction from what I had practiced in put some doubt in my mind,” admitted Harrington, who drove out of bounds on the seventh en route to a triple-bogey seven and inward half of 41.
“I made a few bad swings and it knocked me off my stride. I didn’t inspire myself with ball striking out there; I’ll go out and try tomorrow but I can’t say I’m full of confidence.”
Harrington practiced here on Monday and Tuesday then flew back to London on Wednesday for a company day at Wentworth, but insisted it had not adversely affected his preparations for his 8.50am tee-off time this morning.
“It’s something I had planned since the middle of summer but there were no ill effects,” Harrington added.
“I slept nicely on the plane – it was just a tough golf course I didn’t know in that wind and I made a lot of uncommitted golf swings.
“This is a golf course where you need to bring provisional balls!”
Harrington was at least not alone in finding things tough, defending champion and course re-designer Jose Maria Olazabal crashing to a 78.
“I hit the ball awfully so there can be no excuses,” said Olazabal, who ran up a nine on the 17th after driving two balls out of bounds.
“I was out of bounds twice and in the water twice, such a bad day. If you believe in miracles, one will have to happen tomorrow.”
There was much better news for clubhouse leader Murphy, who will likely secure his card for next season by making the halfway cut.
The top 118 players on the money list on Sunday evening retain their cards for 2007 and Murphy currently occupies 118th place.
“It’s horrible out there,” admitted Murphy, who has missed his last four halfway cuts.
“You try not to dwell on your situation but it’s not to be confused with enjoyable.
“I probably concentrated a little better today and maybe that’s what I’ve not been doing enough this year.”
