Tired Harrington still suffering Open hangover

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan (Reuters) - Padraig Harrington said he was still nursing a British Open hangover after battling to a four-over-par 74 in Friday's second round at the U.S. PGA Championship.

The Irishman successfully defended his Open title at Royal Birkdale three weeks ago and, despite his best efforts, was struggling in the final major of the year.

"I ran out of steam," Harrington told reporters after bogeying his last two holes at Oakland Hills Country Club for a five-over total of 145.

"It was a struggle. I did my best to be ready for the week but clearly I'm not. The harder I tried the worse it got. I haven't got the focus this week. I'm just not with it.

"Obviously I'm still just having a hangover after winning the Open," added the 36-year-old.

"You would love to try and go with the flow and that's what you try and do but the harder you try the worse you make it. Certainly that was the case for me."

Harrington, who romped to victory by four shots at Birkdale to clinch his second major title, was frustrated after being unable to maintain focus over the first two rounds here.

WANDERING MIND

"When you're not mentally strong it's hard to stop your mind from wandering and that's what my mind was doing," he said.

"I thought I was ready coming in but I'm not. I don't have the focus and that's clearly a sign of being mentally fatigued.

"I'm just losing my focus and just can't keep my mind quiet. There was no calmness out there at all so it's just one big struggle. I couldn't get off the course quick enough."

Although Harrington finished six strokes off the early second-round pace, he was optimistic he could reverse his fortunes over the weekend.

"I am hopeful things will turn around for the weekend and I don't think I'll be far out of the tournament," said the world number three.

"With two good scores on the weekend it might get me back in. We'll just have to wait and see."

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)