The dozen or so spectators gathered to watch Padraig Harrington set-
off from a dew-laden 10th tee at 8 a.m. for his second round of theSmurfit European Open, could have been forgiven for thinking theywere witnessing a regular bounce game at their local club instead ofa £2 million European Tour event.
While waiting to be announced by the starter, Harrington and playingpartner Philip Price, both on two-under par, shared jokes andexchanged laughs with their caddies as if they were going throughthe post-mortem of the night before.
The noticeable factor in this company was the glaring omission of thethird player.Andrew Oldcorn failed to show and it was laterconfirmed that this year’s Volvo PGA winner was forced to withdrawdue to a back injury, something which obviously plagued him duringyesterday’s opening round of 77.
Now there were two.First Harrington, who launched his drive overthe bunker to the middle of the fairway and was soon followed byPrice. The latter went on to make birdie while the Irishman openedwith a par.
Damien McGrane is playing two groups in front of Harrington and theWexford professional got off to a great start with birdies at 10, hisfirst, and the 13th to move to one-under for thetournament.
Scotland's Graham Rankin was another casualty this morning but for adifferent reason to Oldcorn.The burly 35-year-old was disqualifiedfor signing his first round card incorrectly.