Consider it a combination of his current form and nationality, but oddsmakers have installed Padraig Harrington as a 10-to-1 favorite to win this week’s Irish Open at Royal Portrush.
The three-time major champion does not believe that to be a good investment.
‘A number of Irish players are playing very well, so I think there’s a great chance of an Irish winner,’ Harrington said Wednesday, according to Sky Sports. ‘Somebody told me my odds were 10-to-1. I wouldn’t even go close to backing me at that - what a ridiculous thing. The bookies are taking advantage there.’
Harrington has shown flashes of his major-winning form of late, finishing T-4 at the U.S. Open and T-11 last week at the Travelers Championship.
His record at the Irish Open, however, might suggest he is a good bet on home soil. Since 1996, he has a win (2007), three runner-up finishes, including two years ago, and another trio of top-six efforts since 1996.