Harrington: I need to try less

Two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington admits a familiar failing is hindering his progress and he has to "work harder to try less".

The work ethic of the 39-year-old, a back-to-back winner at Carnoustie and Birkdale in 2007 and 2008, is well documented.

But having not recorded a victory since collecting his third Major, the US PGA in 2008, Harrington wants to ease off a touch to see if that brings him a change in fortune.

"I am more demanding of myself now I'm a Major winner," said the Dubliner, whose opening round at Royal St George's was a three-over 73.

"Ten years ago I would have been happy making the cut but that doesn't do it for me now because that's kind of how you win tournaments.

"That is the area of my game that needs the most work, I need to stop trying too hard, which has always been the case for me.

"I need to back off. It takes a lot of work to try less."

Despite being well adrift of the leaders Harrington has not ruled himself out of the running just yet but knows he has to improve his game from close range.

"There were times I hit the ball solidly but my short game was poor, I didn't chip well. I need to be tighter around the greens tomorrow," he added.

"I'm eight behind but there's still 54 holes to go.

"If I don't make the cut I won't win the tournament but if I win the tournament I will have made the cut so I don't have to think about the cut, I have to think about 54 holes of golf."

Harrington has taken something of a ribbing for his choice of headwear this week, which appears to be a modernised version of a flat cap.

However, the Irishman is happy about that because there is a particular reason he wants to draw attention to it.

"It is for male cancer. One of the guys at Wilson (his sponsors) who is 30 has got cancer so I'm wearing the cap and a badge to raise awareness," he explained.

"But I must be the only guy in the whole field who does not have an opinion on it."