Harrington scratching head before US Open

Padraig Harrington must be wondering what on earth is going to happen in the United States Open starting on Thursday if his final warm-up round is anything to go by.

Harrington was only one shot off the lead after four birdies in the first seven holes when the US Tour’s Capital Open went into an extra day in Maryland yesterday.

But then came a bogey at the eighth, a double bogey two holes later and further bogeys at the 12th and 14th.

That ended the Dubliner’s title hopes, but the rollercoaster ride continued with a birdie at the 16th and closing bogey for a one-over-par 72 and six under aggregate of 278. He finished joint 13th.

South African Rory Sabbatini enjoyed his second US Tour victory at 14 under, finishing four clear of Americans Duffy Waldorf, Joe Durant and Fred Funk.

Waldorf would have been second on his own but for a two-shot penalty for prodding down rough in front of his ball on the 12th.

Bernhard Langer finished joint fifth, Swede Niclas Fasth – second with a round to go – seventh and Scotland’s Paul Lawrie 42nd following a 77 that contained a quadruple bogey eight at the fourth and, like Harrington, a six at the 10th.