WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Update: Pádraig Harrington's status as British Open champion was overlooked at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational for the second year in a row although this time he was not at all upset.
Twelve months ago, he was bitterly disappointed when his introduction by the starter on the first tee at Firestone Country Club omitted any reference to his first major victory.
Today, the pattern was repeated when the starter announced: "On the tee, from Ireland, Pádraig Harrington," shortly before he struck his first shot in the opening round.
"I didn't notice it today at all," said Harrington after carding a one-under-par 69. "I noticed it sometime afterwards, maybe when I was walking on to the 18th green (when) they announced it again.
"I wasn't waiting for it this time and I certainly didn't need for him to tell me I was the Open Champion. I know I'm the Open Champion."
A year ago it was a very different story after Harrington arrived in Akron fresh from his British Open play-off victory over Spaniard Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie.
"I was really, really looking forward to the guy on the first tee announcing 'The Open Champion' and he didn't do it," the Dubliner said at the time.
"They used to have a guy here who went into a lot of theatrics announcing the name and they sacked him because he did too much. I wish he was there today.
"He just said: Pádraig Harrington, Ireland'. I was gutted! I was looking forward to it for the last 24 hours."
At this year's tournament, 11 days after clinching his second major title by four shots at Royal Birkdale, Harrington was not expecting to feel sharp out on the course.
The world number three would love to claim his first World Golf Championship (WGC) crown but accepts he has very rarely carried good form from one tournament into the next.
"If you're not quite with it, your mind is racing out there," the 36-year-old said after a round featuring six birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-four 14th.
"I just struggled today and I wasn't with it at times. I had a chip shot on 14, it was from 45 yards, and I misjudged it by 20 yards. That says you're just not sharp when you do things like that.
"But I didn't do any harm today, which is great for me. If I can get better each day, that would be great.
"Hopefully, Sunday I'll be good and sharp and, if not, I'll be ready for next week," he added, referring to the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, the final major of the year.
Harrington was playing alongside Darren Clarke who fired a solid round in level par 70. Paul McGinley was the leading Irishman on two-under with three holes left to play. Graeme McDowell was one-over through 15.
Retief Goosen holds the early lead after firing a four-under 66. The South African carded five birdies in his opening 11 holes with the only dropped shot of the round coming at the 15th.
He leads by one from a group of players on three-under including Fiji's Vijay Singh, who held a share of the lead before dropping a shot at his final hole.
-additional reporting PA
