Harrington banking on lift from Bethpage buzz

By Larry Fine
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - British Open and U.S. PGA champion Padraig Harrington, struggling to get results as he tinkers with his swing, said he hoped the buzz at Bethpage Black would lift him at this week's U.S. Open.
The Irishman, winner of two of the last three majors, missed the cut at The Memorial and in Memphis in the two weeks before the Open.
Harrington responded well to the boisterous Bethpage crowds at the 2002 Open, finishing tied for eighth after playing the final round with winner Tiger Woods.
"I thought they were fantastic. I really had a great time in 2002," he told reporters Tuesday.
"I generally have played very well in boisterous crowds. The more noise around the golf course, the better for me.
"It adds a buzz to the event where there's an ambient noise reverberating around the golf course, cheers and everything like that. It just makes it more exciting."
Harrington, 37, has been making little noise on tour this season as he works on his bunker play and ball-striking.
The Dubliner, who ended 2008 as world number three, has now slipped to 11th. London oddsmakers made him a 45-1 long shot to win the U.S. Open.
"In some ways I would say I'm obviously not playing my very best golf at the moment," he said.
Harrington said there might be a silver lining in missing the cut at last week's St. Jude Classic as he got to Bethpage early and put in two practice rounds.
Harrington said he was now playing just nine holes each day leading up to Thursday's first round, where he will be paired with defending champion Woods and U.S. Masters winner Angel Cabrera of Argentina.
"Definitely I'll be happier Thursday morning that I won't have overdone things," he said.
Harrington said his swing-tweaking could come together.
"I have to be patient and just do the right things over and over and let it come back itself," he said.
"There's no forcing it at this point in time."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)

Source: Reuters