As bleak as it looks after five successive missed cuts Padraig Harrington is not ready yet to rule out completing a hat-trick of British Open titles in 15 days’ time. Harrington will defend his Irish PGA Championship at the European Club next week.

“I have another week,” said the Dubliner after a second round 75 that included a triple bogey eight on the 14th put him out of the French Open by four shots last night.

As he did before his back-to-back victories at Carnoustie and Birkdale Harrington plays in the Irish PGA this week hoping that four rounds on a links course can pay rich dividends in Scotland.

Last year, of course, he injured a wrist practising on an impact bag at home four days ahead of The Open and overcame that to win by four.

This time, though, it is a crisis of confidence as much as anything — and while the attention the last few months has been on his swing changes now he has putting worries as well.

“I was never comfortable on the greens this week,” added Harrington, winner of three of the last eight majors. “I am hoping that’s all it was. I just putted terribly all week and didn’t gain any confidence. Obviously that is reflected in the score.

“I need to hit plenty of chip shots, wedge shots and putts over the next couple of weeks, that’s for sure. I’ve been happy with my putting and I still am physically happy, but that’s where the focus will be.

“I am probably happier than I ever was with the physical side. The focus has been on my swing for the last six months, but moving forward I will definitely focus on what were my previous strengths — a good, sharp short game.

“It has caught me out for the last couple of days, that’s for sure.”

Asked if he still stuck to the belief that the harder Turnberry plays the better his chances Harrington answered: “It would be hard to see me going out and shooting 20 under par in great conditions.

“It would be easier to see me shooting four or six under in tough conditions, battling it out. But that could all change next week. “I could go out next week and shoot 20 under par at the European Club and think that I am on top of the world.

“I’m not too worried about the way they set up Turnberry. I would be more worried about how I am. I can manage any challenge as long as I can manage myself.”