NEWPORT BEACH — The day began with British Open weather at Newport Beach Country Club, with light rain arriving a few minutes before the first tee time, turning into heavy rains an hour later accompanied by gusting winds that sent many of the spectators racing toward the clubhouse or to the exits.
This is, after all, Southern California, where many golfers don’t even think about playing—or watching, for that matter—unless it’s sunny and warm, because they know the next day is likely to be nicer.
That, however, is not an option for professional golfers, who get paid handsomely to play in all conditions, including weather such as Saturday’s morning rainstorm. Whether it’s true that nasty weather favors players from the British Isles, as some believe, it was Irishman Padraig Harrington who birdied the 18th hole Saturday to take a one-shot lead over first-round leader Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand heading into Sunday’s final round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Hoag Classic.
Harrington made an eagle and two birdies over the final four holes on the way to a 4-under 67 to post a 36-hole total of 12-under-par. Jaidee, who had at least a share of the lead for the first 35 holes, followed his first-round 62 with a 2-under 69 to finish at 11-under, with Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (68 Saturday) and Englishman Paul Broadhurst (70 Saturday) both at 9-under.
“Same kind of weather for everyone . . . but the Irishman, he’s used to playing in this type of conditions,” Jimenez said, laughing about Harrington’s reputed bad-weather abilities.
When that comment was relayed to Harrington, he smiled, too.
“Yeah, but I’m 28 years as a pro; I’ve gone soft,” said the World Golf Hall of Famer from Dublin, laughing. “I like sunny weather. I don’t mind the wind; I like the challenge of the wind. I’m here to enjoy myself—that’s what the Champions Tour is about . . . I don’t mind testing conditions, but nobody likes playing in the rain. It just…
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