Irish duo’s happy hunting ground

AFTER Graeme McDowell’s magnificent achievement at Pebble Beach the other week, much of the attention has switched on to the man from Portrush, thereby allowing Pádraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy to fly into St Andrews for next week’s Open Championship just a little under the radar.

That said, both Harrington and McIlroy will travel to St Andrews with high hopes. McIlroy won the Quail Hollow Championship earlier in the year and has never shot more than 69 in eight competitive rounds at St Andrews. For his part, Harrington has won two Dunhills Links titles at the home of golf.

“I spend a lot of time with Graeme and I think to myself, if G-Mac can go ahead and do it, hopefully I can do so too,” reasons the 21-year-old McIlroy. “St Andrews is my favourite course and any time you go back, you do so with good memories. The Open at St Andrews is probably the most special event you can play.