Pádraig Harrington has his work cut out if he wants to hold onto his Seniors Open title, after a difficult first round left the Dublin golfer trailing at the ISPS Handa Seniors Open.
The three-time major winner got off to a rocky start, at one point hitting a TV camera during his round, and now finds himself chasing leader Cameron Percy as he looks to defend the title he claimed last year.
Harrington has always been known for his grit and ability to grind out results when his back is against the wall, and he will need every bit of that fighting spirit if he wants to stay in contention. The gap between himself and Percy is not insurmountable, but there is serious work to be done over the coming rounds.
Percy has set the early pace and is looking sharp, putting pressure on all the other contenders in the field. For Harrington, the focus now shifts to cutting that deficit and finding the form that saw him lift the trophy previously.
The Dubliner remains one of the most popular and recognisable figures on the seniors circuit, bringing the same dedication and attention to detail that defined his career on the main tour. His preparation is meticulous, and those who have followed his career over the years know better than to write him off after one tough round.
Still, the camera incident summed up the kind of day it was for Harrington, where things just did not quite fall into place. These moments happen in golf, and the real test of a champion is how they respond the next day.
Fans back home in Ireland will be hoping he can turn things around and mount a serious challenge. A second Seniors Open title would be a significant achievement and would underline his status as one of the standout performers on the senior stage.
For now though, Harrington is in catch-up mode, and the pressure is on to deliver a much stronger performance in the next round if he wants to keep his title defence alive.