Rain puts a dampener on Harrington return

Ryder Cup hero Padraig Harrington went from basking in glory to being soaked by rain at Woburn today.

Conditions were so bad that play in The Heritage tournament was suspended after one hour 50 minutes when several greens of the Duke’s course became flooded.

Harrington and Ian Poulter had managed to complete only two holes, with Poulter parring them both and the Dubliner bogeying the short 11th, when sirens sounded and players ran for cover.

The leader at that stage was England’s Nick Dougherty on three under after seven holes. He was one ahead of Scot Raymond Russell and Spaniard Jose Manuel Lara.

Colin Montgomerie and David Howell were the other two members of Europe’s triumphant side taking part in the event – added to the schedule to honour the achievements of retiring European Tour executive director Ken Schofield – but were among the afternoon starters.