Padraig Harrington will have fine memories of Royal Birkdale, the home of the 2017 Open Championship next weekend. It was the course where he won the second of his three majors nine years ago. Since winning the third of those majors - the PGA Championship - a month later, Harrington's been on a barren spell.
It took him eight years to have another tournament win. The Portugal Masters victory in October of last year put an end to that drought. He's on the road to adding another trophy though.
After drastically changing his style of swing, Harrington sits on nine under par after the second round of the Scottish Open. He followed a first round 67 (including a monstrous 90ft putt) with a second round 68, including four birdies.
That was enough to hold a two shot lead going into Saturday's third round in Ayrshire.
It's left fans very impressed.
It's unorthodox, but it works...
Padraig Harrington is your new leader. pic.twitter.com/gps9HKde7b— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 14, 2017
Footballers who've won nowt refuse to talk in mixed zones. Padraig chatted happily with a cup of tea made by Tour press officer. Magic.
— Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) July 14, 2017
Pádraig Harrington's strictly come dancing golf swing is quite remarkable. And effective.
— Emmet Riordan (@emmetrd) July 14, 2017
Is there anything better than seeing @padraig_h top of a leaderboard 👏🏻
— Gary Seery (@gseery777) July 14, 2017
Great to see this guy @padraig_h back after injuries and contending 🇮🇪⛳️🇮🇪
And his favorite just around the corner #TheOpen https://t.co/fXFzvJwrgg— Alan Vard (@alanvard) July 14, 2017
Just a wonderful day for @padraig_h short game magic still there. Have a great weekend Padraig @AAMScottishOpen @StackstownGC 👍💚☘⛳
— Greystones Golf Club (@GreystonesGolf) July 14, 2017
Elsewhere for the Irish, Darren Clarke pulled out citing a knee problem. Rory McIlroy is eight shots off Harrington on -1 in 43rd. Paul Dunne is even par in a tie for 64th.
The 146th Open Championship runs from next Thursday to Sunday. It's the first time the Open has been held at Royal Birkdale since Harrington's win almost a decade ago. You wouldn't bet against the Dubliner from being high up on the leaderboard, on current form.
