Congressional course holds no fears for happy Harrington

A LOT has changed in the 14 years since Pádraig Harrington let Congressional Country Club get the better of him on his US Open debut and feeling good about the Blue Course is as important a change as any of them this week.

Harrington missed the cut back in 1997 in just his second major and his first in the US, having shot rounds of 75 and 77. More than a decade later, and with the experience that has deliver three major championship victories, the Irishman has felt a lot more comfortable around the monster 7,574 yard, par 71 layout.

“I was overawed by the golf course in ‘97 and I liked what I saw today, so that’s a good sign,” Harrington said following a practice round. “There was nothing about the course I felt I can’t manage. Definitely in ‘97 I felt well out of my depth but I felt quite comfortable out there today.