Ireland's Padraig Harrington staged a magnificent revival in his first-round match against Bob May to set up a meeting with Colin Montgomerie for the second year running. Montgomerie defeated Harrington 7 and 6 in the semi-final and went on to win the title for the first time last year, but is not likely to have it so easy this time.
Things looked gloomy for Harrington when he reached the turn in the morning three down against May, but the plucky Dubliner refused to give up, gradually reduced the leeway, caught up by the 13th and was never again headed.
Harrington took the lead on the 15th, then in the afternoon he lengthened his stride and sprinted away from the only American in this year's field to record an emphatic 6 and 5 victory. Over the years the Championship has produced countless stories of gallant comebacks -- this was another to add to the annals.
May was magnificent in the early part of the match. He birdied five holes out of six from the fourth and was three up when he reached the turn in 30, five under par. The turning point came early in the back nine. Harrington made a 12-foot putt and May missed from five feet on the 12th and on the next, May missed a par putt and Harrington converted his. It pulled Harrington back from two down to all square; from that moment Harrington's fortunes waxed even as May's dramatically waned.
"I'm looking forward to playing Monty,'' Harrington said. "I knew I would have to peak on Friday if I was going to have any chance against him, but I was also aware that I would have to be at my best today, as well. Bob played lovely golf this morning, but I was not unhappy with my own form and did not panic.''
