Pádraig out to emerge from Rory’s shadow

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON signalled his intention not to slide into Rory McIlroy’s shadow as he confirmed his participation in his “fifth major”, next month’s Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland.

The three-time major champion will return to Killarney Golf & Fishing Club on July 28-31, a year on from finishing runner-up behind Ross Fisher.

Having been the centre of Irish golfing attention after back-to-back British Open wins in 2007 and 2008 and his US PGA triumph in that second year, Harrington has been forced to make way for rising star McIlroy, whose ascendancy to top-dog status was confirmed 10 days ago at Congressional Country Club when the 22-year-old became US Open champion.