On a day that initially tantalised with heady expectations, it ended in acute disappointment, the grimaces on the 18th green, the visible frustration of birdie putts that stayed above ground.

For Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley a repeat of the 1997 World Cup triumph on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is not beyond the bounds of possibility but after yesterday's two over 74, it is improbable.

It could have been worse and in that respect the Irish partnership demonstrated character down the stretch without receiving the reward that some fine golf deserved.

When they stood on the 15th tee having slipped to three over, the closing holes could not have looked more unappetising.

A birdie on the 15th, could easily have been the precursor to more red figures but Harrington saw his bunker shot hit the hole on 16 and stay out, another opportunity go abegging on the 17th and perhaps the ultimate sleight by lady luck, when McGinley's eight-foot putt caressed the hole on the way past.

It was a far cry from the opening overtures, Harrington's magnificent pitching wedge second shot to the first coming to rest 10 inches from the hole and at the next, two blows took him pin high to the apron of the green, allowing a two-putt birdie to race to two under after as many holes.

When he holed a clutch seven-foot putt with a six-inch break on the next for par, it appeared that despite the elements this could be a red-figure day for Ireland but superficial impressions proved misleading.

Harrington admitted: "I knew I wasn't hitting the ball well going out, I knew that I was going to be erratic.

"We dropped a few shots that we shouldn't have and that put us under pressure. There are some tough holes out there and we weren't playing well enough to get through those holes without making some mistakes.

"It was a tough day but we both didn't play well. I was out of sorts with my swing. It was tough weather not to be on form. We got a few bad breaks but I can't say we deserved a hell of a lot better.

"It was a nice start, the two birdies and to hole that putt on three and I suppose if you reflect on the fact that we only dropped one shot on 10, 11, 12 and 13; realistically it was the shots we dropped six, seven and 14 that were annoying. The sixth and seventh in particular were poor concessions because they were handy enough shots. That put us under pressure.

"It (the wind) was no help no matter what way you were playing. The greens were firm, releasing 20 yards with a wedge and I was fighting my swing. Gradually over the last week bad habits have been creeping in and I can't really get rid of it. You have to do your best with it. A day like today accentuates any problems you're having.

"Three birdies was a reasonable return, but I knew I was going to be erratic; you have to try and ignore it. It'll be much tougher tomorrow in the foursomes; you're going to have to accept the bad shots. It's hard to shoot a good score but it shouldn't be to shoot level par or one or two better. The hardest thing about the wind was trying to putt in it. Some days you have a good eye for it. You don't hit the same (quality of) putt if you don't trust it and you're also trying to hit between gusts.

"It's off to the range to try and sort something out."

There he'll be joined by Paul McGinley, who couldn't buy a putt all day and who seemed also to be fighting his game. Harrington though refused to be too despondent: "You can make a move in all the rounds, we're not out of it. We did fairly to hang in there."

It is apposite that being in the South, the Irish pair might like to reflect on the a line from Gone with the Wind: tomorrow is another day.