• European Tour

Harrington 'breaks' from long-term coach

ESPN staff
July 31, 2011
Padraig Harrington played poorly at the Irish Open, finishing three-over and missing the cut © PA Photos
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Padraig Harrington is taking a spell away from long-term coach Bob Torrance as he bids to arrest his slide down the rankings over the past couple of years.

Three-time major winner Harrington is currently languishing at world No. 64, having not won a European or PGA Tour event since the 2008 US PGA Championship.

He cut a disconsolate figure at this week's Irish Open, missing the cut by four strokes after completing at three-over through his first 36 holes.

Harrington was making positive noises about his game prior to the tournament, but now he has conceded that change is needed to turn his game around.

"We haven't split," Harrington said. "We are having a break because I am getting very frustrated. Until I am ready to listen to what he has to say we are having a break."

Torrance said: "He's like a son to me and I hope we can get back together. We've been together for 15 years and I wasn't really expecting this, but I know he's been unhappy. His game is in a bad shape because of his mind - I've said that to him - but he's determined to make changes."

Harrington will begin life without the 79-year-old father of former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron next week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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