Go for it!

That's the advice of old head Des Smyth to young hopeful Padraig Harrington before next week's 131st Open Championship at Muirfield.

Smyth watched on TV as Harrington's Smurfit European Open hopes splashed down and out at the K Club last Sunday.

Two visits to the water at the closing three holes allowed a defensive Michael Campbell to win the event.

But Smyth still reckons that Harrington was right to go for broke, despite failing himself in the 1982 Open at Troon after throwing caution to the wind.

And he feels that Harrington will have gained invaluable experience for the pressure of the Open.

Said Des: "I could have played for pars at Troon and but I told my caddie I was going for everything on the back nine. It didn't work out for me. But in hindsight everything is easy, but on the course at the time Padraig had no alternative at the K Club.

"He was five behind and he had to attack. Okay, Campbell kept coming back to him, but there wasn't a lot wrong with the two shots that finished in the water.

"Padraig felt that he had to birdie every hole and he did what he had to do and hit two great shots into the 16th and 18th that missed by a couple of feet each time."

Smyth, 49, will play in his 22nd Open at Muirfield on Thursday.

But he has no regrets about his back nine strategy at Troon 20 years ago.

On that occasion he was in the thick of the action with nine holes remaining but finished up two shots behind winner Tom Watson.

"I've no regrets," said Des this week. "There were moments during the championship when I felt 'hey, you can win this' and when I had the chance I made up my mind and played the shots I had to play. It didn't come off but I gave it a go.

"The weather wasn't great and there was a tough left to right wind against us on the way home. Now I know that playing for par would have left me tied with Watson but you have to make those decisions on the course at the time and not later.

"I when the shots don't come off you look like a fool and when they do you are a hero. That's professional sport. Padraig will have his fair share of shots that do come off and he will definitely have days when it will all come together."

Smyth has had his fair share of successes in a 29-year career.

Victory in the Madeira Island Open last year at the age of 48 years and 34 days made him the oldest ever winner on the European Tour.

Now 49, Smyth could be playing in his last ever Open Championship.

"I hope not," he said. "I'm exempt this year after finishing 13th at Lytham but I hope to be back again.

"It's one of the two great championships, up there with the US Open and I'd be loathe to say that this will be my last appearance.

"I haven't been averse to pre-qualifying in the past and if I have to go down that road again then I'll look at going through qualifying again."

Apart from his great 13th place last year in which he hit a super six under par 65 in the second round, Smyth has had his fair share of great finishes in the Open.

He was also 14th in 1998 at Royal Birkdale and 27th at Royal St George's in 1993.

"It's such a special event,' said Des. " The Open gets us all going and hopefully we'll be celebrating again this year."

With Harrington approaching his best form, this could be a good year for the Irish.

Christy

Christy O'Connor Jnr is angry with Open organisers after losing his battle to play at Muirfield.

O'Connor was exempt for last year's Open at Lytham after winning the Senior British Open in 2000.

But couldn't play in the end after breaking his leg in an accident and the R and A has not extended the invitation.

He said: "I'm disappointed. I thought the R and A would do the same as the US Seniors Tour and give me a year's grace because of my accident but it seems they have decided not to do that. I had qualified 'legally' and I thought they might see fit to invite me.

"It would have been my 25th Open and it's very sad because the Open has meant so much to me over the years."

Now O'Connor will have to win the Senior British Open for the third time at Royal County Down in two weeks' time to qualify automatically for the 2003 Open.

The 53-year-old is in fine physical shape after physiotherapy treatment under a specialist at the prestigious Blackrock Clinic in Dublin.

Clarke
Darren Clarke has yet another sponsor's name to wear on his shirt.

Apart from Donnay, Dimension Data and Sun Zappers, the Ulster star now carries the Barclays Capital logo.

Elaine
Wexford's Elaine Dowdall is set to return from injury in the AIB Ladies Inter-provincial championship at Mount Wolseley on August 7-9.

The Irish International has been sidelined by back trouble for most of the season but is hoping that regular physiotherapy will have her fully fit in time.

(Heat)
Ireland's Junior women got more sun than they bargained for - in Moscow of all places.

After escaping soggy Ireland for the Women's Junior European championships in Russia, the Irish girls had to put up with temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Results didn't go Ireland's way with Maria Dunne , Amy Duggan, Martina Gillen, Susie Hayes, Gillian O'Leary and Heather Nolan well off the pace.

Girls
Sisters Tara and Karen Delaney are set to make it a Carlow one-two in the Girls Order of Merit this season.

Tara currently leads the list on 485 points, with Karen third behind Heather Nolan.

The sisters are also named in the Irish side to compete in the Girls' British Open at Sandiway from August 6-10.

Amy Duggan (Killarney), Nolan (Shannon) and Galway's Sinead O'Sullivan complete the side.

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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