FOOT FAULT WAS MAJOR LESSON

Harri admits 2006 flop helped him see a big win was possible

- MICHAEL SCULLY

PADRAIG HARRINGTON is using special Winged Foot memories for his first bid to win the US Senior Open.

Harrington is in familiar company this week as he has been drawn to play with Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie for the first two rounds at Saucon Valley Country Club's Old Course in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

After a slow enough start to life on the PGA Senior Tour, the 50-year-old has had three runners-up finishes in his last five events.

"I'm coming into these as the new kid on the block," said Harrington. "I'm in good form so I'm trying to manage my own expectations.

"It feels like how I would have been trying to manage my tournament preparation back in my heyday where I'd be going into these events, not hoping to win, but strongly expecting to be in contention."