Harrington toils as Kaymer shoots record tying 62

By Norman Dabell

ST QUENTIN, France (Reuters) - Padraig Harrington, trying to get his game in shape to defend his British Open title, remained upbeat despite struggling again in Thursday''s French Open first round.

The triple major champion from Ireland lagged 10 strokes behind leader Martin Kaymer of Germany, who equaled the course record of 62 after a blistering nine-under effort containing an eagle and eight birdies.

Last week''s BMW International Open runner-up Rafa Echenique of Argentina shared second place on 65 with former winner John Bickerton of Britain, Thai Thongchai Jaidee, Australian Scott Strange and Swede Peter Hanson.

"Being one over par makes it tough for me for this week''s tournament but I was very encouraged with the way I played," Harrington told reporters after his 72.

He put his disappointing scoring down to early blemishes on the greens.

"Three three-putts hurt me badly and it took a long time to get into my rhythm after that," said Harrington, who has missed his last four cuts.

The U.S. PGA champion, who defends his British Open crown at Turnberry, Scotland this month, put his putting errors down to concentrating too much on other parts of his game.

MENTAL SIDE

"This is what happens when you are tinkering with things," said Harrington.

"It can be hard to play confident golf. I was pleased with the physical side of my game but not the mental side."

The 24-year-old Kaymer''s form was remarkable because he underwent emergency foot surgery on a blistered foot on Wednesday.

"The pain was unbelievable so the doctor cut the blister open to relieve the pain before I could play in the pro-am yesterday," said the German. "But it was still bad so I had to have a hole cut in my shoe.

"I needed to play the pro-am for practice. Today I got a few twinges but generally there was no pain and I really took advantage of great conditions."

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, playing in his 500th European Tour event, carded a 67.

Twice major champion John Daly hobbled out of the tournament with a back strain. The American is anxious to be fit to play in the British Open in two weeks'' time, the championship he won in 1995.

(Editing by Ed Osmond and Tony Jimenez)