Harrington slumps after American high

After the high of grabbing another victory in America on Sunday Padraig Harrington sank to his worst round in Europe for seven years today.

Harrington’s seven-over-par 79 in the first round of the Smurfit European Open at the K Club – the venue for next September’s Ryder Cup – left him 13 adrift of South African leader Trevor Immelman.