Padraig Harrington has given a glowing review to Turnberry after his first practice round on the Scottish links where he will attempt to win a third straight British Open in July.

The Irishman skipped this week's BMW PGA Championship in order to have a first look at the course on the Ayrshire coast and his enthusiasm suggested he was optimistic about his chances of emulating the legendary Peter Thomson, the last player to win three successive Opens.

"It's a super course - it's lived up to expectations," Harrington said. "There are not a huge amount of opportunities out there, but a lot of steady holes with difficult par threes.

"I have learned what the set-up will be like and what shots need to be practised and played, although the course will change over the next two months.

"From watching it on TV and hearing what other people have had to say, I knew it was a great course and I really like what I see."

Harrington added: "I am well aware that Peter Thomson was the last man to do it, but I feel I'll be in with a great chance because I have control over my own preparation and, if I get that right, then I can be in contention.

"I want to win more majors, but I'm not going to put any more pressure on myself to make it three in a row.

"I'm going to take it like any other major - winning them individually is big enough, but if they happen to come three years in a row well that's very special."

AFP

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