Woosnam backing Padraig

Shropshire Ian Woosnam believes Padraig Harrington offers the best chance of ending the European drought at this week's US Open.

Golf's second Major of the year begins at Bethpage tomorrow with the last European success coming in 1970 thanks to Tony Jacklin.

Oswestry's Woosnam came within a whisker of ending that sequence in 1989 when finished in a tie for second, one shot behind champion Curtis Strange.

And he believes Ireland's Harrington – who already has three Majors to his name – could have the game to suit the demands of the next four days.

"Padraig Harrington isn't in too much form at the moment, but always at a US Open you have to really grind it out and he is the sort of person who can do that," said Woosam, speaking at his home club Oswestry where he officially opened the new £1.1m clubhouse yesterday.

"They will have long rough and tough greens. Tiger (Woods) is the man to beat, without a doubt, because as soon as his name gets on that leaderboard I think they all start panicking.

"But if Padraig gets in there he has got a chance."

Woosnam has an important week of his own as he seeks victory on home soil in the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open which begins on Friday.

The 51-year-old stopped off at Oswestry en route from his Jersey home to tournament venue Royal Porthcawl and will begin his preparations in earnest today.

Woosnam twice won in Wales on the main European Tour, both at St Pierre in the 1983 British Masters and 1990 Epson Grand Prix of Europe, and would love nothing more than to repeat the dose this week.

He will enter the event in second position in the Seniors Tour order of merit, and boosted by success in the Irish Seniors Open at Ballybunion two weeks ago – but with concerns over his driving.

"In Ballybunion I won but after the first round of 74 I was trying to get the plane home," added Woosnam, who is preparing for his seventh straight week of competition.

"I've not been playing well at all this year and what's been letting me down is my driver.

"I've still been scoring alright but I want to hit the ball how I want to hit it and as you get older, that doesn't happen.

"This is one of the biggest tournaments we play so hopefully it will be better this week."

By JAMES GARRISON