Harrington defends St Andrews changes

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has defended the much criticised changes made to the St. Andrews Course for this year’s Open Championship.

There have been several modifications made to the course, including the lengthening of the famous Road Hole by 40 yards.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is among critics, declaring modern course designers to be “off their heads.”

Harrington is of a different opinion, however, and has said, “It’s an intimidating tee shot and a tight fairway, but the way I look at it you always want to make sure that the guy who wins the Open is tested at some stage coming down the stretch.

“It’s no problem with length and it’s the same angle, it’s just playing as a big hole – as it should be at the end of championship golf. There is no-one going to get through 16 holes without thinking about it for four days.

“It’s what you were used to seeing on the TV years ago and exactly what they need. Everything evolves – you do realise they used to play this course from the greens to the tees, the reverse way round?

“I know 17 is very high-profile, but this is the modern game. I’m sure the old tee was probably not there 30 years ago. It has to change at some stage … that is part of golf. All courses, and this one in particular, has evolved over the course of time.”

Harrington has been paired with Tom Watson and Ryo Ishikawa for Thurday’s opening round.