Irish PGA Championship: In truth, for Padraig Harrington, stiff neck etc, this is not what the doctor would have ordered, writes Philip Reid, Golf Correspondent
Yet, true to his word, the world's eighth-ranked golfer turned up at a windy St Margaret's in north county Dublin yesterday for the pro-am and today will set out in a quest for a second Irish PGA Championship to add to a curriculum vitae that has grown ever more impressive since he first won in 1998 as a fledgling professional.
By a country mile, Harrington is the star attraction in a championship, jointly sponsored by Cuisine de France and Anglo Irish Bank, that still appeals to tour and club professionals alike.
As Christy O'Connor junior, who remarkably has had many near misses but never actually claimed the title, remarked, "it's one of those that always seemed to get away from me . . . but it's great to be here, to support one of the oldest national professional events in the world."
Harrington's neck strain - which occurred over US Masters weekend in Augusta, the third of a successful three-week stint in America that also took in the Players' (where he was runner-up) and the BellSouth (where he finished fourth) - was obvious as he played in yesterday's pro-am. But he's hoping it will prove no more than a distraction once he gets going in the actual championship.
In fact, the wind could prove to be more of a nuisance.
"I've developed a high ball flight, so it'll be interesting to see how I cope with the wind, and it could be a leveller for me . . . but looking at the positives, the next three majors of the season are on links-type courses with lots of wind, so it will be good to get in a competitive week in such conditions," said Harrington, who at least has been spared a cross-city commute by car in favour of travelling by helicopter.
If the composition of the field is a little less stellar than Harrington has become accustomed too in recent weeks, he warned against any expectations that all he has to do is to tee the ball up to claim the title.
"You never win anything handy," he insisted. "The past history of the Irish PGA shows that most winners do so only by a shot or two. Personally, I hope to be competitive, to get into a position to win, and hopefully pull it off."
Although the late decision to add the Seville tournament onto the European Tour schedule has deprived the Irish PGA of the likes of Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane - and Paul McGinley, who won for the past two years, is recuperating from knee surgery that will leave him out of the game for up to six weeks - there is a mix of tour and club players who will offer stern resistance to Harrington.
Among them is Philip Walton, who lives nearby and uses the course regularly during the winter months. A four-time winner of the championship, Walton expects "to be there or thereabouts" come the time when the destination of the title is being decided.
Fellow Challenge Tour players Michael Hoey, Stephen Browne and David Higgins will also be among the favourites.
Higgins topped last year's Irish PGA Region order of merit - edging out Damian Mooney, who has recently won his Europro Tour card in Britain and is also in the field - and will likely make a strong challenge.
His father, Liam, is also in the field and is joined by other European Seniors Tour players O'Connor junior, who is back playing again after recovering from surgery to a shoulder, and Denis O'Sullivan.
There is considerable talent too among those from the club scene, with the likes of John Dwyer and Leslie Walker well capable of mounting realistic challenges.
However, even with a stiff neck, and playing on greens considerably slower than those at Augusta, Atlanta and Sawgrass, Harrington should be able to carry the favourite's mantle.
The Draw (at St Margaret's)
1st Tee Thursday (10th Tee Friday)
8.00 (12.30): N Finnerty (Foxrock), E Gibbons (Kilkenny), S Donnelly (Castle Hume).
8.10 (12.40): M Hoey (Unattached), P Morris (Charleville), D Ryan (Cork).
8.20 (12.50): P Jones (Coollattin), S Clinton (National Golf Academy), P Martin (Belvoir Pk).
8.30 (1.00): D Cully (Knockanally), P O'Boyle (Bandon), J Greenaway (Fortwilliam).
8.40 (1.10): S Moore (Dun Laoghaire), P Williamson (Luttrellstown), P Vaughan (Downpatrick).
8.50 (1.20): G Burke (Curragh), F Howley (Ballyliffin), D Mortimer (Newlands).
9.00 (1.30): G Loughrey (MD Golf), J Bolger (Kilkenny), L Bowler (St Helen's Bay).
9.10 (1.40): L Robinson (Donegal), K Morris (Fota Island), P Gray (Holywood).
9.20 (1.50): D Higgins (Waterville), S Browne (Unattached), D Mooney (Nevada Bobs).
12.30 (8.00): D McQuillan (Co Sligo), J Coone (Courtown), D Gleeson (Elm Pk).
12.40 (8.10): R Hutton (Downpatrick), C Mallon (North West), D Moore (Seapoint).
12.50 (8.20): J Burns (Mullingar), K Brett (Dungarvan), D Kiely (Faithlegg).
1.00 (8.30): S Hoey (Paddock Wood), P Hanna (Fortwilliam), D Walker (Foxrock).
1.10 (8.40): H Jackson (Donabate), Z Rouiller (Beech Pk), E Doyle (Luttrellstown).
1.20 (8.50): L Higgins (Waterville), R Giles (Greenore), G Robinson (Unattached).
1.30 (9.00): L McCool (Slieve Russell), P O'Hagan (K Club), S Thornton (Royal Co Down).
1.40 (9.10): B Kerley (Dundalk), D O'Sullivan (Unattached), J McHenry (K Club).
10th Tee Thursday (1st Tee Friday)
8.00 (12.30): N Graham (Masserene), M Collins (Charleville), C Moriarty (Donaghadee).
8.10 (12.40): A Brown (Royal Portrush), E Riblet (Navan), M Collins (Fermoy).
8.20 (12.50): G Lunny (Rathsallagh), J Kelly (Overseas), W O'Callaghan (Fermoy).
8.30 (1.00): G Fairweather (Knock), A O'Meara (Ross), M Kavanagh (Stackstown).
8.40 (1.10): J Dignam (Slade Valley), V Teague (Dungannon), I Kerr (Carlow DR).
8.50 (1.20): R Burns (Newlands), G Chambers (Killymoon), P Collins (Galgorm Castle).
9.00 (1.30): M Allen (Leopardstown), M Bannon (Bangor), C Barry (Paddock Wood).
9.10 (1.40): B McGovern (Headfort), J Heggarty (Spawell), P Walton (Unattached).
9.20 (1.50): J Dwyer (Ashbourne), P Harrington (Unattached), L Walker (Dundalk).
12.30 (8.00): T Niland (Athenry), R Machin (Co Meath), P O'Rourke (Blackbush).
12.40 (8.10): P McVeigh (Castlerock), D Ryan (Dungarvan), K Dorrian (Unattached).
12.50 (8.20): G Roche (Curragh), M Burke (Galway Golf Centre), J Parsons (Blackwood).
1.00 (8.30): T Halpin (Naas), S Hood (Co Sligo), S Hamill (Lisburn).
1.10 (8.40): T Higgins (Mt Juliet), S O'Grady (Blackbush), JP Dolan (Thurles).
1.20 (8.50): P Leonard (Fintona), J Robinson (Co Sligo), E Doyle (Hermitage).
1.30 (9.00): David O'Sullivan (St Margaret's), P McGuirk (Co Louth), J Murray (Malahide).
1.40 (9.10): T Rice (Limerick), C O'Connor jun (Adare), N Manchip (Royal Dublin).
