Harrington targets double glory

Padraig Harrington today stepped up his bid for a second double triumph in four years in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Harrington won the title in 2002 following a play-off with Eduardo Romero and also took the team prize with amateur partner JP McManus.

The Dubliner went into today’s third round three shots behind halfway leader Bradley Dredge in the individual event and sharing the lead in the team competition with McManus – and quickly improved both positions this morning.

After pars at the first two holes Harrington birdied the third to move to 10 under par, two behind Dredge, who was playing his third round at Kingsbarns, while McManus also contributed a birdie to move them two clear in the team event.

Despite his second round 69 at St Andrews taking almost six hours yesterday, Harrington feels being part of a team is actually helping his game.

“The last time I won in 2002 we won the team event as well and it’s definitely better for your individual golf to be part of a team,” said Harrington, who surprisingly won just half a point in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at the K Club.

“I lost a bit of patience in the middle of my round but I focused more on the team score and that gave me a lift.”

Harrington is among the players still in with a chance of winning the Order of Merit title despite trailing current leader Paul Casey by almost half a million pounds.

The first prize this week is £427,000, with £450,000 available at the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama and Harrington could yet decide to enter the Mallorca Classic in a fortnight’s time – which Casey is not playing - to boost his chances.

Casey was seven under par at halfway after driving out of bounds on the 18th at St Andrews in his round of 74.

“I was trying to sneak it up the right-hand side on 18 and just hit a poor drive,” explained Casey, who led by one after the first round following a 63 at Kingsbarns.

“Although I got off to a good start with two birdies it was difficult to get any momentum with the time everything was taking (the round took almost six hours) and having to wait on every hole.

“When you’re shooting two over par there are plenty of other things to think about than the Order of Merit but I’m looking forward to playing Carnoustie.

“It’s a difficult course but it makes you hit good shots, and if you do you will be rewarded. If you don’t the score could be a lot worse than Friday’s!”