Anything that creates havoc will do Padraig Harrington

Pádraig Harrington was not getting carried away by his best round at The Open in seven years but is hoping the weather does cause “havoc” as the two-time champion bids to close the gap on the leaders at St Andrews this afternoon.

The three-time major winner, conqueror of Carnoustie and Birkdale in 2007 and 2008, shot a three-under-par 69 at the Old Course yesterday to match his best score in the championship since the first round of his unsuccessful title defence at Turnberry in 2009.

As encouraging as breaking 70 and reaching three under par was, the Irishman was expecting to have plenty of work to do this weekend.