Harrington plotting measured course to US success

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON believes he’s a “different animal” to the headless chicken who managed to finish fifth behind a rampant Tiger Woods in the US Open here 10 years ago.

Back in 2000, Harrington confessed that his good performances in majors had more to do with “pot luck” than science and while it’s been 11 months since his last victory (in the Irish PGA) and 22 months since he lifted his third major title in the 2008 US PGA at Oakland Hills, he reckons he’s overdue a win.

Getting it this week would be a dream come true for the 38-year-old Dubliner, who feels very much at home in cold, breezy conditions that make the Monterey Peninsula feel more like Rosses Point at Easter than sunny California in the middle of June.