Media Center Interviews

April 1, 2023

Third Round Interview with Padraig Harrington

Q. Padraig, nice round today bouncing back from the 73 yesterday with a 68. If we can get some comments on your play.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Yeah, it was a nice score today, nice back nine, took my chances. I'm not quite sure if there was some easy pins and some tough pins. So seems like the scoring isn't that good, so I'm quite happy with it. I certainly lost a few shots yesterday looking at that cut, probably lost two or three shots. I looked up at the leaderboard after 11 holes yesterday and saw I was in like 12th spot but only three shots off the cut and I froze for a good five holes. Yeah, so kind of regretting those now. Hopefully -- I'm sure the leaders will make a few birdies coming home, there's certainly opportunities on the back nine, 14 and 17 are playing pretty easy. Maybe I'll be -- I don't know, I have no idea. It was a decent day anyway. Maybe a low one tomorrow will get us in the hunt.

Q. So on Thursday you were kind of lamenting the fact that you might have to play 27 holes today and you were able to get everything in yesterday. How are you feeling fitness-wise?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Yeah, there's a few aches and pains, a few new aches and pains, too. I knew I'd make it through, I just -- I went to the physio early today and I'm going to go again now. I'm going to go and do my, yeah, bit of recovery. That's all that's needed. Only 20 holes so it wasn't too bad.

Q. Are you on the point of the leaderboard where you wanted to be at the start of the day?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: I'd certainly take where I am right now, but I don't believe I'll stay there. Yeah, look, I'm sure everybody's out there thinking they've left shots behind. We'll wait and see tomorrow. This course can -- it's an interesting course, it can be really difficult if it's going away from you and if things are going for you there are a few opportunities. It's possible to lose some ground, it's possible to make some grounds.

Q. How many texts did you get from your fellow competitors after Thursday from the Champions Tour?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Yeah, I got a few, I got a few. People are, yeah, as they said, they like to see if I can compete out here, it justifies the whole Champions Tour all the more.