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Padraig Harrington blog: Dunhill Links Championship review

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Irish golfer Padraig Harrington is caught up in a European Tour controversy

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Every year I look forward to playing in the Dunhill Links as it is one of the most enjoyable tournaments on the schedule and this year was no exception.  I really enjoyed the week.  I would have liked to perform a little better but that did not take away from my overall enjoyment.  I finished in a tie for 26^th which was a poor return considering how I played; J.P. and I also missed the cut which was very disappointing as we are normally contending the team event, not worrying about making the cut. 

This is a tournament that I have a very good record in over the years; I have won it twice and finished in the top ten a number of times.  So every year I come here with high hopes of contending for the title on Sunday.  This year didn’t go as I hoped as I only made the cut on the mark which meant that I started my last round from the tenth tee. It was funny playing the last round like this as it felt like we were out on the course on our own as the crowds were on the other nine watching the leaders. 

In practise on Wednesday I hit the ball exceptionally well and couldn’t ask to hit any better.  When I got on the course on Thursday I was struggling with my focus a bit as I was actually put off by how well I hit it the day before.  I played poorly for most of my round in Carnoustie; it was only on the last five or six holes that I actually started to hit the ball well.  However I did scramble very well all day and then when I started to hit the ball better I holed a couple of putts for birdies.  In the end I was three under playing my last hole, the ninth, which was a great return considering how I played.  On the ninth I purposely hit my drive down the left side as it was the safest line but when I got down to my ball the rough in the area was growing into us and I had no lie.  I had to wedge it out and ended up taking a bogey.  It was very disappointing to finish with a bogey as I had managed to keep it together all day.

My second and third rounds were quite similar in a lot of respects.  I played very well from tee to green and gave myself a lot of chances, but didn’t really hole enough putts.  On Friday I played at St. Andrews and I probably had 15 good birdie chances but could only manage to hole a few.  I ended up shooting two under par for the round which felt very average as it was a great day for scoring given there was very little wind.  I even three putted the last hole for a par to add insult to injury! 

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