Pádraig Harrington US Open bid ended by closing bogey

Pádraig Harrington is targeting a top-three finish in the Irish Open after a final hole bogey scuppered his chances of qualifying for the US Open via yesterday’s 36-hole Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath.

The Dubliner opened with a level par 72 on the New Course in a battle for 11 places in the field at Chambers Bay in Washington next month.

But having raced to five under on the Old Course in the afternoon thanks to four back nine birdies in a row from the 13th, he ran up a costly five at the 479-yard 18th.