The pints were flowing freely Thursday night in the crowded pubs of Lahinch.
There was good reason. The favorite golfing son of the Republic went out and shot his lowest opening round in 18 years.
Padraig Harrington, the 47-year-old, three-time major champion from the Republic of Ireland (not to be confused with Northern Ireland), went out and had himself one heckuva day during round one of the Irish Open.
Paddy rolled around historic Lahinch and used just 63 shots. Each one thrilled the huge galleries that showed up to watch one of their own.
It was an awesome day on the west coast of Ireland. Not a stitch of breeze for the early wave. Paddy went out late, the winds came up a bit, but just that — nothing serious enough to slow the steady march of a determined Irish champion.
By day’s end, eight birdies were on Paddy’s card. A single bogey cost him a shot at tying his career low round.
He was surgical with the driver, spot-on with his irons and enough putts fell to put a smile on his face.
“I like playing links golf,” Harrington said, to the surprise of absolutely no one. “I knew coming into this run,” he continued,, “that if I get my head in the game I have an advantage.”
“Today I did a lot of good things and holed a few putts here and there and got a few breaks – it all adds up to 63 which is nice. I didn’t expect 63 out of it,” he said, looking for his first European Tour win since the 2016 Portugal Masters.
“It would definitely be up there with one of the simplest, easiest, most pleasant days ever on the links,” he said, still smiling.
As good as his start was, Harrington was only able to lead by a shot over South Africa’s Zander Lombard.
Harrington is hoping the start could be a good omen. “I know I don’t have to play as well as that for the next three days. It would be nice if I did but we’ll just go out there and try and do more of the same. If nothing good happens for the next three days, so be it. I know I’m on the right track.”
The Irish Open is on the right track, despite the absence certain star from Northern Ireland.
That would be Rory McIlroy, who may have sat this one out for the first time in his career to get ready for The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in two weeks.
“A huge body blow,” was how tournament host Paul McGinley described McIlroy’s no-show.
But from the look at the huge Thursday crowds — it didn’t matter. Didn’t need the kid from the north, their own — Paddy Boy — was there for them, going low in the afternoon.
The crowds should be even larger on Friday and it’s a sellout for Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, in the pubs, they went long into the night, toasting one of their own.
Paddy Boy came through for them, all of them, who swarmed a town of 700.
The pubs and restaurants were thrilled.
So was Paddy, who turned back the hands of time — at least for one day.
Editor’s Note: Sadly, the magic ran out for Paddy early Friday. He was four-over par for his front nine as the weather turned a bit. It was overcast with a misty rain and some wind coming up. He fell out of the lead and tumbled back down the board. By the end of his round, Paddy pulled the old 10-shot trick and followed up his magnificent 63 with a stinky 73. They are using a one-tee start as the Open Championship does, so play go on until late in the day at Lahinch.
