Harrington wants first and last shot of The Open

Two-time champion Padraig Harrington says he will be "very nervous" hitting the opening tee shot at the 153rd Open Championship on Thursday but does not want to be viewed as a "ceremonial golfer".

Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington won The Open in 2007 and 2008 [Getty Images]

Two-time champion Padraig Harrington has said he will be "very nervous" to hit the opening tee shot at the 153rd Open Championship on Thursday but that he does not want to be viewed as a "ceremonial golfer".

Irishman Harrington, who won the US Senior Open last month, will begin the championship at Royal Portrush at 06:35 BST.

"Look, my goal is to hit the first shot and the last shot this week. So, in my head, that's what I'm trying to do," said Harrington, who lifted the Claret Jug in 2007 and 2008 and also won the 2008 US PGA Championship.

"That's what I'm thinking. I'm sure the bookmakers will tell you that's not a reality, but I have to prepare.

"If I get there on Sunday and get myself in contention, I have to prepare to be ready for that moment and see how that goes."

Harrington said the first hole at Royal Portrush is "not a comfortable tee shot for anybody" in the field.

"I'll be definitely very nervous about that and I'll be very comfortable with anything in play," said the 53-year-old.

"I'll be doing a bit of posing after I hit. No matter how bad the shot is, I'll be holding my finish and pretending it's a good one."

When the championship was last held at Portrush in 2019, it was Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke who hit the opening shot.

Harrington, however, said he would not be taking advice from the 2011 Open champion.

"[Clarke] says, 'I was going to hit the little three iron down there' and he got so nervous, he took out the driver and bunted it down there because it was a bigger head," Harrington added.

"I'm saying, 'Darren, this isn't helping me'.

"I don't know what the conditions is going to be, but I really don't fancy hitting a driver off the first tee. Hopefully it will be the three iron."

Category: General Sports