Harrington ironing out strategy for ‘brutish’ Olympic

Pádraig Harrington returns to US Open venue that prompted him to totally transform his long game 14 years ago and take the first steps towards becoming a multiple major champion.

But in an ironic twist of fate, the 40 year-old Dubliner admits that he tees it up at the Olympic Club in his 15th US Open torn between the necessity to hit towering iron shots to rock hard greens or stick to the ball flight that he’ll need for the links tests of the Irish Open, Scottish and British Opens.

Assessing the qualities needed to win over the firm and fast fairways of a course that favours the fader of the ball, Harrington said: “Putter is always the first and foremost. Second, you have to get it on the fairway. Putting and off the tee, they are the keys.