Padraig Harrington is just one shot off the lead in the Madrid Open after today’s opening round. Harrington is six under after a 65. Lee Westwood leads on seven under par. Harrington’s big rival for the European Order of Merit, Retief Goosen, is five under par after a 66.
Ironically, the South African who yesterday criticised Harrington for being “definitely the slowest player on tour”, was warned for his speed of play. Goosen, who leads Harrington by £34,000 with only two more events to come, was spoken to afterwards by tournament director Jose Maria Zamora. He was heard to comment: “Perhaps I will go and play somewhere else”.
Zamora explained that Goosen was timed after his group – which also includes Westwood - fell out of position and he took 20 seconds too long over his second shot to the 15th.
Harrington, who shares second place with Londoner Brian Davis and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber, was delighted with today’s play. Asked about Goosen's slow play comments, he said: “It's a distraction, but there are a load of distractions to get over and you have to dig down deep and focus. I did that very well today. The only thing on my mind was my golf and I'm not interested in what happens to other people. I don't need anybody else to motivate me - I am a very motivated person.”
Graham McDowell finished at three under, while Des Smyth and Paul McGinley are both a shot further back.
Meanwhile, Seve Ballesteros was today forced to withdraw from the competition just before his scheduled tee off, as news came through of his mother's death. Ballesteros was set to join Harrington and Andrew Coltart on the tee box. His place was taken up by Australian Peter Fowler.
Ballesteros last won a golf tournament at this event seven years ago and went into this year's Open a horrendous 253rd on the Order of Merit, with earnings of less than £5,000.
His mother, 83-year-old Carmen Sota, died at her home in Pedrena. She leaves behind four sons - who all became golf professionals - Baldomero, Manuel, Vicente and Severiano.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
