Pádraig Harrington praises ‘incredible’ Bernard Langer ahead of US Senior Open tilt

The 2022 champion (52) is joined at Newport Country Club by his 1995 Walker Cup-winning team-mate Jody Fanagan (58) from Milltown, who qualified by finishing runner-up in last year’s US Senior Amateur Championship.

Harrington is focused on good iron play and solid short-putting as he chases his second senior Major on the back of completing a hat-trick of Dick’s Open wins on Sunday.

But he will have one eye on defending champion Bernhard Langer (66), who is bidding for his 13th senior Major win just four months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon playing pickleball.

“Bernhard’s win last year has got to be one of the greatest achievements in the game of golf,” Harrington said. “That golf course last year was so long …

“It was a phenomenal win. I played with him last week again, and my two kids said to me after the round they just couldn’t believe how good he was.

“It’s incredible how good he is. It’s astounding. He still gets it out there. He’s a good ball striker. He’s efficient.”

Lee Westwood makes his senior debut this week, but while Tiger Woods does not turn 50 until next year, Harrington was “delighted” to see the 15-time Major winner being made exempt by the PGA Tour for all their signature events. “He deserves it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Holywood’s Tom McKibbin has a chance this week to clinch his place in The Open as two spots at Royal Troon are available via qualifying series at the Italian Open. There’s also a spot at Troon for the winner of the European Amateur Championship in Denmark, where Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy opened with a four-under 68 to lie a shot behind leader Preston Summerhays.

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