British Open profile: Padraig Harrington

Best Odds: 40/1 - Coral
Age: 39
World Ranking: 57
Best Results in Open: Winner - 2007 & 2008

Open Record:

Nobody has a better Open CV in the field - with the notable exception of veteran Tom Watson. Harrington won at Carnoustie in 2007 after reeling in Sergio Garcia from six shots back at the start of the final round. Victory came in a play-off. A year later the Irishman recovered from an opening 74 to repeat his triumph at Birkdale, in the end winning by four shots. He also had T5 finishes way back in 1997 and 2002.

Form:

A prolonged period of indifferent form saw Padraig drop out of the world’s top 50 in June for the first time since 1999. Small glimmers of hope came with a T8 finish at the Shell Houston Open in April - one of three top-10 finishes on the PGA tour this year. A 14th position at the Scottish Open might suggest that Harrington will welcome a return to links golf - the scene of some of his happiest memories.

Verdict:

Finds himself in the bookmakers’ thoughts simply because he is a three-time major winner. Sadly, there is little reason to think he will add to that tally at Sandwich. It’s not even possible to say that it’s always better for Harrington in this tournament. After his back-to-back successes there has been a T65 and a missed cut to follow. Must be a really long shot that he can reverse two years of poor form by playing consistently well here.