British Open First Round News & Notes

The Sports Network For not knowing whether or not he'd even be able to tee off to defend his title, Padraig Harrington should be pretty darn pleased. On Thursday, not only did the defending champ's wrist hold up enough to tee it up, he shot a respectable four-over 74 that puts him in a tie for 38th place. "I wouldn't mind having another go at today's round," admitted Harrington, who won his first major last year when he toppled Sergio Garcia in a playoff. "I think I could do better, but I don't think I could handle doing it for another three days." Harrington mixed two birdies and four bogeys over his first 11 holes. The Irishman calmed down and parred five in a row until some hiccups on his way to the house. At the 17th, Harrington left his second in the rough and made bogey. On his final hole, he drove into a bunker, which... [read full story]