Hapless Harrington continues poor run of form



-- Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington admits that his game is in poor shape ahead of his bid for a third successive British Open title this month.

Padraig Harrington is seeking to regain the form that saw him rise to third in the world rankings.

The Irishman has just two tournaments left in which to find some form after missing a fifth successive cut, failing to make the weekend rounds at the European Tour's French Open following a five-over par 75 on Friday.
The 38-year-old has been experimenting with his swing despite last year adding the 2008 US PGA Championship to his two Claret Jugs to become the first European golfer to win back-to-back major events. Harrington tries Happy Gilmore swing.
The Dubliner has slumped from third in the world rankings to 11th, and now heads to his home Irish PGA Championship and then the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond ahead of his title defense at Turnberry.
Harrington, who last played four rounds of an event at the Players Championship in Florida in early May, tallied 66 putts in his two rounds at the French Open.
Friday's effort in Versailles was marred by a triple-bogey eight at the 14th hole after he drove out of bounds, while he also three-putted 13. See Adam Scott's tips for playing around the greens.
"I was never comfortable on the greens all week," Harrington said. "I'm hoping that's all it was. I just struggled, just putted terribly and didn't get any confidence. That's reflected in the score.


"It showed up the weakness in my putting. I've been happy with it and still am physically, but it certainly got on top of me this week, and that's where the focus will be.
"You don't just click, but I have another week. The last six months the focus has been on my swing and, definitely now I will be firmly focused on my previous strength -- a good, sharp short game.
"I'm not worried about how hard they set up Turnberry. I will be more worried about how I am, but I can manage any challenge.
"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."
Argentina's Rafa Echenique of Argentina took a two-stroke lead at the halfway stage in Paris, following up his opening 65 with a 67 to be on 10-under-par 132.
He was chased by first-round leader Martin Kaymer, South Africa's Charl Schwartzel (66) and England's Steve Webster (65).
Kaymer was unable to repeat his fine form from the opening day, when he shot a sizzling 62, and was this time one over for the day.
Other big names to miss the cut of one-over 143 alongside Harrington included Masters champion Angel Cabrera (145), Jeev Milkha Singh of India (145) and out-of-form 2005 U.S. Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand (154).