Padraig Harrington Says ‘Watch Your Feet’ Incident with Talor Gooch Was ‘Nothing to See’

During the first round of The Open Championship on Thursday, playing partners Padraig Harrington and Talor Gooch were involved in what was made out to be something that it apparently was not, based on comments after the fact from Harrington.

On the fifth hole, Harrington pulled his tee shot on the par five into the gorse at Royal Liverpool at Hoylake, and initial reports from The Independent indicated that Gooch was a tad friendly with his feet while the Dubliner was swinging. 

Apparently, Harrington “sternly told Gooch” to “watch your feet” as they walked off the tee to retrieve their tee shots.

However, Harrington was quick to dispel any rumors and reports that suggested there was tension built between the two, as Harrington has remained loyal to his Tour roots, and Gooch has been one of LIV’s most successful golfers since the league started.

Harrington said:

“There’s nothing to see here. Unfortunately for me I tilt my head up in my takeaway which gives me a rather wide field of vision. I got distracted by an early walk, which Taylor was very apologetic about and it never happened again.”

There’s nothing to see here. Unfortunately for me I tilt my head up in my takeaway which gives me a rather wide field of vision. I got distracted by an early walk, which Taylor was very apologetic about and it never happened again.

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) July 20, 2023

Fans were sure to let Harrington know that they think he is a “class act” based on his gesture.

After a +3 round on Thursday, Harrington will likely need to shoot under par on Friday to remain under the cutline. Gooch shot an identical score. The pair are tied in 89th place.

Cover Image via Toronto Star