THE OPEN RELATED STORIES The Open Home Page The Open Scores Round 4: Harrington defends Open title Round 4: Ian Poulter impresses with second place Round 4: Greg Norman proud of achievement Round 4: Henrik Stenson happy with best finish Round 3: Norman takes a two shot lead Round 2: KJ Choi edges a shot clear at halfway Round 1: Late starters share first round lead Course Guide: Royal Birkdale 2008 European Tour Schedule Open Champions 1860-2007 Tee Times and Pairings Prize Fund/Purse Open Championship scoring and other records Open Championship quotes - Wise and witty words about golf's oldest Championship Wind the biggest threat at Royal Birkdale Injuries aboud around the 137th Open Without Tiger many look to score Major success Unhappy John Daly back at The Open Kenny Perry defends absence Justin Rose returns to scene of 1998 drama Padraig Harrington still a doubt Sergio Garcia favourite for The Open Tiger Woods the hot topic of conversation Lee Westwood praises Royal Birkdale Graeme McDowell looking to continue good form Players puzzled by Kenny Perry's absence Wrist worry for Padraig Harrington Phil Mickelson dodges the Tiger factor Green Royal Birkdale greets players Open not devalued by Tiger absence says O'Meara Furyk confident of better Royal Birkdale fortunes Phil Mickelson confident of adding to Major tally Luke Donald out of Open with wrist injury Justin Rose looking forward not back 137th Open Championship Summary GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Huge savings on Festive gifts! A golf break in France - just £89! Half Price Golf Vouchers Take 10 shots off your scores! Best Value Golf Insurance

Eagle lifts Padraig Harrington in to contention

Champion Padraig Harrington, helped by a 35-foot eagle putt at the 17th, picked up four shots in the last four holes to storm into contention at the British Open on Friday.

Despite nursing an injury to his right wrist, the Irishman also birdied the 15th and the last to fire a two-under-par 68 in the second round at Royal Birkdale.

Although Harrington began well with a birdie at the second, he lost ground on early leader Greg Norman by dropping three shots before he reached the 12th tee.

His spectacular finish, however, gave him the chance to successfully defend his British Open title and match the achievement of world number one Tiger Woods at Hoylake in 2006.

The start of Harrington’s round coincided with a heavy squall on another windy day on the Lancashire links course but, as conditions improved, so did the holder’s fortunes.

“When we started, we were feeling very sorry for ourselves and then the wind suddenly changed to make things even tougher,” Harrington told reporters. “All of a sudden I’m starting to leak a few shots and wondered what the cut is.

“Then I had the comfort of the eagle,” he added, referring to his long-range putt at the par-five 17th. “You don’t get many of those in Open championships; it was a real bonus.

“My finish was a total contrast to the day before when I finished six, five after doing all the hard work for 15 holes.”

After coming through what he described as “an issue” on the 11th, Harrington said he was happy his troublesome wrist will stand up to his bid for back-to-back British Open titles.

“On 11 there was an issue because I had to hit out of heavy rough and though it didn’t hurt me it gave me a fright because I thought it would hurt,” the 36-year-old Dubliner added.

“The fact that the wrist came through shows it is pretty solid. I’m well in the hunt with 36 holes to go.”

Harrington jarred his wrist on an ‘impact bag’ while training in the gym at the weekend and was unable to put in any serious practice before Thursday’s opening round.