PADDY'S POWER

The man who seriously thought about giving up his defence before it had started goes into the final round at Royal Birkdale just two shots adrift of leader Greg Norman.

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Dublin’s finest is clinging to his Open crown with a grip that a man with an injured wrist should not be able to muster.

And on another day when a gaggle of the world’s top players raised a white flag into pummelling winds, he simply refuses to wilt.

Advantage

Whatever happens this afternoon, Harrington has worn the mantle of champion with honour.

And although Mr Chris Evert, 53, continued to roll back the years, who would bet against a man whose byword is determination?

The difference between last year and this one is that no one expected Harrington to surge through and triumph on that final day at Carnoustie, which he began six shots in arrears of the leader Sergio Garcia.

But despite Norman’s advantage, it is Harrington who will tee it up this afternoon as the favourite. Just ask your bookie.

And that, admits the Ryder Cup star, brings its own difficulties.

He explained: “There is no comparison — there really isn’t. Last year, I was going into the final round under no particular stress. I had the attitude that I could just go out there and play and anything could happen.

“But I am in the last group, so you are going to be watching others as well.

“You will be looking at what is going on around, whereas last year the only person I was focused on was myself.

“Now I’m not sure whether having a great day or a steady day is what is needed. A steady day might be enough.

Riches

“But the wrist seems fine and I’ll be doing my best — that is for sure.”

A triumph for either Harrington or Norman would be a remarkable story.

But not as remarkable as the tale that would unfold should Englishman Simon Wakefield make up a three-shot deficit and leapfrog Harrington, KJ Choi — who is also two off the lead — and Norman.

Because as sure as Norman and Harrington are giants, Wakefield is a minnow.

The 34-year-old from the Potteries had to think long and hard recently about buying a season ticket for Stoke City. Now, he is within striking distance of the £750,000 first prize and the key to unimaginable golfing riches.

Yet at the start of the championship, the qualifier’s odds were a shade under 1,000-1. And no wonder.

This is a player for whom the word journeyman was invented.

Six times he has been to the European Tour qualifying school and has never won.

He is playing in only his fourth Open and has missed the cut twice.

And remarkably, he had not played a round at Royal Birkdale until this week.

His only claim to fame seemed to be having a sort-of-famous uncle, England wicketkeeping, er, great Bob Taylor, and a celebrity pal in daytime chatshow host Jeremy Kyle.

Fairytale

Add all that up and 1,000-1 seemed less than generous.

And in an age when prodigies are all the rage, Wakefield only took up serious golf at the age of 15.

“I had watched the Masters on TV and that made me want to take it up properly,” he explained. “I had tried hitting my dad’s golf balls against a wall but I got a telling-off because I ruined them.”

But after outscoring his playing partner Sergio Garcia, the man from Newcastle-under-Lyme will now tee it up amidst some of the game’s greats — with the Claret Jug in his sights.

“It’s bizarre,” he said. “It’s a fairytale situation I am in. I was nervous over breakfast this morning so I’m not sure I’ll get any sleep now.

“But I’ve just got to try and not think about winning and do the things I have been doing well.

“It’s a world-class field and all I am going to try to do is commit to my game and be in the best possible frame of mind.”

Wakefield’s only significant victory came in 2004 when he won the obscure Dimension Date Pro-Am in South Africa.

“I’m familiar with the position but this is different,” he said. “This is a Major — this is The Open.

Perform

“But I will just try and relax and look forward to it. The weather is supposed to be friendlier and I must mention the crowds — they were fantastic. I just need to go out and do what I do well.”

And what the budding pilot — he is planning to apply for a licence soon — did better than most was cope with winds that would have unsteadied a jumbo.

Even Harrington was temporarily derailed by the conditions but regained his composure to keep alive his chances of becoming the first European to defend an Open title since James Braid in 1906.

But Harrington knows he faces a formidable foe in Norman — even though the Aussie is giving the champ 17 years.

Harrington said: “When he is interested, Greg Norman can really play. He’s as fit as a 53-year-old can be and once he puts his mind to it, he can certainly perform.

“He has not lost any of his ability. The tougher the shots, the more he enjoys it.

“Greg seems to be thinking about it this week and he is well capable of putting it together as he has shown over three rounds. I don’t think anybody should expect anything but good play from him tomorrow.”

Dream

But maybe it is the Year of the Crock. Tiger wins the US Open on one leg, Paddy The Open with one hand.

In truth, the sprain didn’t give him a moment’s pain. Golfers are notoriously fragile — they have scans on chipped fingernails. But if Harrington’s wrist could withstand yesterday’s almighty buffeting, it is fully mended.

Rock-steady on splayed feet, the Irishman pitched in from 30 yards on the fifth to finally send a jolt of electricity through the galleries.

The fans carried him through a mid-round slump, giving him a rousing ovation when he walked up the 18th to complete a two-over par round.

So the hopes of Britain and Ireland are carried today by Wakefield and Harrington — two men who are worlds apart but who now share the same dream.