Blowing hot Harrington on form

Padraig Harrington overcame strong winds and the pressure of being the home favourite to equal the course record at the Irish Open yesterday with a four-under-par second round of 68 after bad weather prompted organisers to shorten the course by 322 yards.

"The wind doesn't bother me," Harrington said. "I know I have an advantage in the sort of weather that causes them to push some of the tees up."

Harrington is hoping to become the first Irishman to win the event since John O'Leary in 1982. "I'm going to play it down in my head, try to control my emotions," he said. "It would be great if I could go out knowing I want to win so badly and yet play like it's a regular event."