Pádraig relaxed on Open chances

A relaxed Pádraig Harrington does not believe a fourth major title would alter his golfing legacy, but concedes a third British Open victory next week might lead to a hasty change of heart.

The prospects of that happening shortened considerably after the 45-year-old claimed a share of the halfway lead in the £5.4m Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Harrington swapped the drama of his opening 67 for a “boring” and bogey-free 68 to finish nine under par, a total matched by England’s Callum Shinkwin and Germany’s Alexander Knappe.

Ian Poulter, who finished second to Harrington in the 2008 Open Championship, and Australia’s Andrew Dodt were a shot off the lead following matching rounds of 69, with 2015 champion Rickie Fowler, 2007 winner Gregory Havret and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts a further stroke adrift.