McManus doing Harrington proud

Padraig Harrington's partner in the pro-am Dunhill Championship is racehorse owner JP McManus - and, while winning the team event is down the list of priorities for a golfer with Order of Merit title ambitions he says it is helping him in his attitude this week.

“Even when I double-bogeyed the 17th ‘JP’ birdied it, so I walked off with a smile on my face,” said Harrington.

“It was a careless double bogey and I also drove into bushes on the ninth, but my anger management is good. I would not say I am in top form, so I realise these things are going to happen to me.

“I was prepared for a few errors – although obviously not with a sand wedge in my hands. But these things happen, and you’ve got to get over it.

“The birdie on the 18th was important and meant quite a bit to me. It limited the damage.

“Because of the Ryder Cup, I’ve not practised this week as much as I would normally and I’m probably fresher because of that. There’s a lesson in that - but I’ll never learn that lesson!”

Harrington has been and expected always to be one of the hardest workers on the circuit.

“We don’t play too many pro-ams, and I am enjoying it. I’ve tried to keep it a bit light-hearted, but after a good first round it did start to become a little bit serious,” he said.

“To win the Order of Merit I’ve got to win this week.

He is £500,000 behind leaders Retief Goosen and Ernie Els.

The two South Africans both dropped back today – Goosen to six under and joint 23rd place with a 73 and Els to 30th spot on five under after a 72 which contained a quadruple-bogey eight on the 17th.

Romero was the tour’s third oldest winner three months ago but has since overtaken first Neil Coles and then Des Smyth in terms of age when they last tasted success.

“My swing is good at the moment; so is my putting – and my concentration is good too,” said the South American.

“Two years ago my problem was nerves. But then I started doing yoga, and it’s helped a lot. I am much more relaxed.”

Singh’s finishing flourish gave him a 64, only one outside the record for the lengthened course set by Paul Lawrie en route to victory last year.