Harrington ready to go
Padraig has reluctantly handed back the Claret Jug ahead of the 2008 Championship, but hopes it will only be with the R&A for temporary short-term safekeeping. Not that he's getting too bogged down in the notion of a solid title defence...
I've just sat in on defending champ, Padraig Harrington's, first press conference since arriving at Birkdale, and can report that he looks relaxed and in a good frame of mind ahead of his title defence. Talking of which, he's trying not to think of it too much in those terms, and rather than getting bogged down thinking about putting up a stout defence, he wants to approach it as another distinctly separate major in its own right if you get the difference. I did just now as he was saying it but I'm not sure I've conveyed it wonderfully well here! He talked extensively about the very fine line between success and failure, and the need to avoid viewing things in such black and white terms.
Far better, according to Padraig, to focus on how well you're sticking to the processes and tasks you've set yourself. Do that well, and you should then almost indirectly start getting the results you crave. Sounds like a few sessions on the Rotella couch to me! Anyway, he's right, and how much better would we all play if we were less concerned with achieving a specific outcome before we've hit the first tee shot. I expect the Irishman to put up a good showing this week, especially as he comes into the event hot on the heels of another success in the Irish PGA played over the testing Wicklow links at The European Club last week. He saw off the challenge of a rejuvenated Philip Walton there in testing conditions that will perhaps have provided better preparation for Birkdale than Loch Lomond. Walton, incidentally, is also at Birkdale this week after winning the Local Final Qualifier at West Lancs by three shots.
No mention in this press conference of the wrist injury Harrington sustained at the Irish PGA, so I'm not quite sure what the full story is there. I will endeavour to find out...
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In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf.
Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.
Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
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