The Open: PádraigHarrington still loves Postage Stamp despite red letter gaffe

As Pádraig Harrington, his morning’s work done, sat back and watched the afternoon’s play at the 145th Open Championship, the good feeling derived from his opening round will have dissipated with every birdie putt sunk by Phil Mickelson.

The American’s stunning eight-under-par first-round 63 was the score two-time Open winner Harrington feared, putting distance between the Irishman and his chances of a third Claret Jug.

He had shot an opening 70 at Royal Troon, one-under par, but was wary unless the benign conditions that had helped the early starters evaporated, there was a low score there for the taking by the later wave.