Pádraig Harrington described Sunningdale’s Old Course as the best venue players get to play in the senior game as he got off to a strong start in his bid to win the ISPS HANDA Senior Open for the first time.
The Irishman, one of the most recognised players in the over-50s ranks, opened with a three-under-par 67 in Thursday’s first round to sit four adrift of early clubhouse leader Steven Alker.
The Senior Open is predominantly held on links layouts, but this year sees Sunningdale’s heathland course hosting Europe’s only Senior Major for the fourth time.
ISPS HANDA amabassador Harrington, who has consulted on course design and layout refinements internationally, sees no room for improvement in the Harry Colt layout.
“I've got to say, every player, every caddie here… this is probably the best golf course we've set foot on,” he said.
“You just couldn't improve on this. If anybody would ever think of changing anything here, this is as good as it gets.”
Best known for his back-to-back Open Championship victories in 2007 and 2008, Harrington is this week bidding to become just the fifth player in golf history to lift both the Claret Jug and Senior Open trophy, emulating Darren Clarke, Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson.
In advance of the tournament, Harrington said he feared the course would not suit his style but he is in no doubt that he can contend over the closing three rounds.
"It's perfect at the moment," he said. "A little greener is perfect.
"I thought I was going to come and it would be very firm and fast, and that means everybody playing to the same spot.
"With it being a little bit greener I can take on some of those par fours that are driveable."
Victory this week would also see him claim his third Senior Major victory, less than a month on from becoming a two-time winner of the U.S. Senior Open.
After playing the opening 12 holes in level par, he made four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine before a three-putt on the 18th saw him finish at three under.
"I played lovely at the start and struggled to score well," he said.
"I had a really bad three-putt early on and took three from the edge of the green. Then on the back nine, I didn't play so well and scored great. I chipped in on 13. Holed a nice putt on the two par threes.
"Disappointing to three-putt the last but I've been really struggling with my uphill drives. I hit a hook on 16 and hit a hook on the last. It's hurting me a lot on the tee. I have no confidence. I am OK when I'm going down but not so good when I'm going up.
"I need to get rid of that over the next three days. I need to get a little bit more aggressive or more confident off the tee so that I can be more aggressive off the tee."
