'If I make some birdies tomorrow, that would be the goal' — History-chasing Harrington two clear in Senior Open
Pádraig Harrington in action in the third round of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale. Picture: Getty Images
Pádraig Harrington believes birdies are the key to becoming just the fifth player in history to win both The Open and ISPS HANDA Senior Open after carding a second successive 65 to take a two-stroke lead into the final day at Sunningdale.
The Dubliner (53) insisted he is not comfortable with his game, but after making six birdies and just one bogey to lead by two shots on 13 under from Justin Leonard, he's not complaining.
"I still wasn't comfortable," said Harrington, who admitted he had his share of luck in the second round.
"I thought I was getting better, but I don't think I rode my luck as much today. I wasn't out of position, but I certainly didn't play much better than yesterday. Maybe a little bit more cautious today."
The two-time Open champion birdied the fourth, ninth and 11th to get to 11-under and while he made his first bogey in 29 holes at the 12th, he recovered with birdies at the 13th, 14th and 18th.
"It's always nice to come back with a bounce back and a birdie," he said. "Believe it or not, I'd prefer to make a bogey and a birdie than two pars.
"I think when you can get caught in that sort of, I-haven't-made-a-bogey-for-a-while type thing, that can get in your head. So getting rid of that is not a bad thing.
"I'm happy enough if I make some birdies tomorrow; that would be the goal, and that's to try and keep making the birdies.
"There will be a few mistakes, but hopefully I'll make enough birdies to counteract that."
Thomas Bjorn lies just three strokes behind Harrington after 67, while Americans Clark Dennis and Kevin Sutherland, Australian Greg Chalmers and New Zealander Steven Alker are a further shot behind.
Harrington has twice finished second in the Senior Open, but his biggest worry is not getting that monkey off his back but going out and playing freely.
Leona Maguire of Ireland during the third round. Credit: Mark Runnacles/LET
"I don't feel very good about how I'm hitting the ball, so trying to get away from that and not worry so much about that because clearly I'm scoring well," he said.
"You're better off shooting 13-under par and not feeling so good about it than thinking you're swinging it great and being level par.
"So I just need to go out and play and try golf tomorrow. Hit the right shot at the right time and not necessarily try and play swing."
As for becoming the fifth player after Gary Player, Bob Charles, Tom Watson and Darren Clarke—43rd on level par after a 71—to win both The Open and the Senior Open, he would not be drawn.
"I'm not going to think about that," he said. "Those are the sort of things that are getting ahead of yourself, and I'll wait till tomorrow to try and digest that."
Meanwhile, England's Lottie Woad carded a five-under 67 to take a two-stroke lead as she bids to win the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open on her professional debut at Dundonald Links.
She leads on 17 under from Korea's Sei Young Kim and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen.
"Just going to try to shoot as low as possible and keep giving myself chances," said Woad, who won the KPMG Women's Irish Open by six shots as an amateur earlier this month.
"If someone shoots the lights out, fair enough."
Leona Maguire shot a one-over 73 and goes into the final day tied for 18th on five under.
