Pod - The time is now

Three-time major champion struggling for form ahead of Open

Last updated: 2nd July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pod - The time is now

Harrington: Form slump

At this stage I believe I will be ready. But then again I thought I'd be ready for the US Open

Padraig Harrington
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Padraig Harrington is desperate to emerge from his slump in form this year ahead of his bid for a hat-trick of Open Championship titles.

Harrington has endured a torrid 2009, having slumped down the rankings from third to 11th after modifying the swing that won him back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008.

The 37-year-old's decision seems to have back fired with him missing his last four cuts, including at the US Open a fortnight ago, and he badly needs to turn things around ahead of a trip to Turnberry in two weeks.

As he prepares for the start of the French Open, Harrington is hoping he can gain some confidence at the National course near Versailles.

"I'm running out of time for the Open," Harrington said. "But the attraction of changing things is still great.

Good signs

"If the Open wasn't just round the corner I'd be carrying on but at this stage I need to show some signs that I will be ready for it.

"There comes a point when you have to go with what you have got. I'm always an optimist but I don't believe in suddenly clicking into form. I have to work my way into it.

"At this stage I believe I will be ready. But then again I thought I'd be ready for the US Open.

"This week it is more important to play well than perform well in terms of results. I need a certain level of confidence. If I'm going to play well in the Open it's got to start now.

Harrington's woeful showing at Bethpage Black in New York was due to concentrating too much on the changes he is making, he said.

"My backswing had totally gone off because I was focusing too much on my downswing."

Harrington is still trying out new things, however, including testing a new driver that will hopefully help turn his fortunes around.

"I'm now trying out two drivers with two different shafts, so that's like four drivers. I'm still trying to find the magic stick that goes straight and long."