Padraig Harrington said he believed he could win an Open Championship.
As for this week’s, though?
“I would say it’s like a lot of times going into it: I wish it was a few more weeks,” Harrington said Wednesday. “But you know, I have to play with what I have tomorrow. I’ve got to create a reality in my head that I can win.”
As it turned out, what he had was not enough. The popular Irishman shot rounds of four-over 75 and five-over 76 at Royal Portrush and missed the cut, set at one-over, by eight shots.
And Harrington’s also among our nine surprising players to miss the Open weekend cut. Below is the list.
9. All nine of the amateurs
Surprising because: You’d think one of the talented nine would see the weekend. But Ethan Fang, Cameron Adam, Justin Hastings, Filip Jakuboik, Frazer Jones, Richard Teder, Connor Graham, Sebastian Cave and Bryan Newman are all done after 36 holes.
8. Padraig Harrington
What he shot: 75-76
Surprising because: The Irishman was a crowd favorite. He won the Open Championship in 2007 and 2008. He just won the U.S. Senior Open. But eight bogeys, one double bogey and one triple bogey were too much to overcome.
7. Adam Scott
What he shot: 72-79
Surprising because: He was in the final group last month at the U.S. Open. But he made more double bogeys (3) than birdies (1) on Friday.
6. Patrick Reed
What he shot: 77-70
Surprising because: He won LIV Golf’s Dallas event last month and was trying to make a push for the Ryder Cup team. But he made just one birdie on Thursday.
This uber-talented pro could make history at Royal Portrush
5. Patrick Cantlay
What he shot: 73-72
Surprising because: He, too, is trying to make the Ryder Cup team. But he finished 137th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.
4. Joaquin Niemann
What he shot: 70-74
Surprising because: He’s won four times this season on LIV Golf. And he was looking good after a first-round 70. But he opened with a double bogey on Friday and finished with a 74.
3. Cameron Smith
What he shot: 72-78
Surprising because: He won the 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews. But he made six bogeys and one double bogey on Friday.
2. Collin Morikawa
What he shot: 75-74
Surprising because: He’s ranked sixth in the world, and he won the 2021 Open. But he ranked 147th in Strokes Gained: Approach this week.
1. Brooks Koepka
What he shot: 75-74
Surprising because: He’s won five majors. But he made only one birdie on Friday.
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