Struggle for Harrington

PADRAIG Harrington will seek reassurance from the manner of his 2008 US PGA Championship victory that his first victory since then is not already out of reach following a disappointing opening round at Whistling Straits.

Three-time major champion Harrington shot a three-over-par 75 at the links-style 7,507-yard, par-72 Straits course on the shores of Lake Michigan last night, leaving him seven shots behind early clubhouse leader Bubba Watson after the start of the final major of the year was delayed for three hours and 10 minutes.

At Oakland Hills near Detroit two years ago, Harrington had opened 71, 74 to stand six shots off the halfway lead, before compiling consecutive rounds of 66 to snatch famously snatch victory from European rival Sergio Garcia.