Padraig Harrington could not be more different in his views of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and Castle Stuart to his compatriot Graeme McDowell so much so that he’d like it all for Ireland.
McDowell said at the Irish Open a week ago that the Scottish had lost its prestige and that the Castle Stuart Links was “one-dimensional” comments probably tailored for his home audience where the status of their national Open is under something of a cloud.
The Scottish title carries a named sponsor of which the world of golf is “very jealous” according to Harrington, it has a prize fund nearly double that of the Irish and, while the 42 world ranking points for Sunday’s winner are low for a tournament that used to carry 54, it’s still 10 more than Paul Casey got for winning in Ireland.
And there’s really no comparison between Castle Stuart and Colin Montgomerie’s flat field of a course at Carton House, which Harrington tacitly acknowledged.
“A lot was said two weeks ago that the Irish Open should be on a links but the commercial realities take us away from the links,” he said. “If we had a great sponsor like Aberdeen Asset we could go to any links we want.
“I think the world of golf is very jealous of Scottish golf at the moment having a blanket sponsor like Aberdeen Asset coming in to back amateur golf, young pros, senior pros, men’s and women’s phenomenal support all the way up.
“Backing like this gives the wonderful luxury of taking the championship anywhere they want to. They’re a fantastic sponsor and if they want to come over and do Ireland as well they’d be more than welcome.”
As for losing prestige and playing a one-dimensional course, Harrington was generous to McDowell but doesn’t agree.
“Big fairways, big golf course, this is not a place for Graeme,” he continued. “It’s not made for him. He wants a tight course where his driving’s an advantage. I understand why he loved Loch Lomond because he won there.
“But on the week before an Open Championship, we should be on a links course and the Scottish Open should be on a links, no question about it.
“Loch Lomond is a fine place, but it wasn’t what you imagine Scottish golf to be. This is a fine course, and it is stunning and beautiful. Where we’re staying up at Loch Ness I wouldn’t hesitate to come back here on holiday, and you don’t say that about many of the places we go to.”
The benefit for having the Scottish the week before the Open may have edged because so many players choose not to play in advance of a major, but Harrington firmly believes you should, and you need to be on links.
“For me, it’s a no-brainer,” said the man who played in the Irish PGA at the European Club links prior to his two Open wins.
“Myself and Phil (Mickelson) want to play a links before because it’s incredibly beneficial and playing a tournament is far better than playing social golf or practising on links.
“You learn how to play shots so that when it comes to the Open the next week, you trust that shot. Playing competitively makes you practise the commitment you need to hit them.
“I had a shot in the play-off at Carnoustie in 2007 that I wouldn’t have trusted if I hadn’t had a similar one the week before at the European Club.
“You hit that shot, and if you get it wrong, the little bit of pain will hopefully ensure that you don’t do it again next week.”