Pen is mightier than the score

Pádraig Harrington talks to Jim White about the ups and downs of his golfing career.

BEFORE Pádraig Harrington teed off yesterday at the B&H International Open at Wentworth, before he sorted out his clubs or assessed the course, before he went through his mental exercises to focus on the goal ahead, he ensured the following: a good supply of pens in his bag.

Two years ago in the same tournament played at the Belfry, Harrington was subject to one of the cruellest punishments known in world sport. While sprinters can be awarded gold medals with the content of a pharmacy rattling around in their systems, and while the FA can receive not much more than a gentle tickle across the knuckles despite the violent racist behaviour of an alarming number of England followers, Harrington was disqualified on the spot for the appalling crime of failing to sign his scorecard.