Ireland's Padraig Harrington got off to a rough start today in the first round of the British Open,

The double Open winner said he had been working on swing changes that were still not ready and was prepared to sacrifice the short-term for the long-term benefits he expects to get from his new swing.

And he said he had arrived at The Open more in hope than expectation.

However, Harrington is always one to watch given that this is the man who arrived at last year's Open with a wrist injury and then went on to win the title!

Harrington, who has slipped down the betting form, has not won a Tour event since the PGA Championship in Oakland Hills last August.

“It’s all about the majors,” he said. “They’re all very special. I want to get as many of these as I can.”