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Padraig Harrington defended playing-partner John Daly, the 1995 Open Champion, who posted a round of 90 during last week's Valspar Championship at Innisbrook in Florida.
The 47-year-old's card included an eight-over-par 12 at the 16th, plus three other double bogeys.
The American missed the cut by 19 shots but Harrington believes he did not give up during his second circuit of the Copperhead course.
Twice Open Champion Harrington said: "He came out pressing as we all did on Friday after a 74.
"But he was very respectful to play with. He was useful out there. He was trying in terms of lines and getting clubs and things like that.
"You could see what he was doing. It wasn't like I wouldn't prefer him to be there.
"But he didn't walk in. He didn't stop trying. He tried to hit the right shots on the last two holes. It didn't seem to us he was shooting that score.
"If I was going to say anything, it's that he tries too hard. He's caring too much. I know that's not what people see."
Daly, a winner of two major titles in the 1990s, is currently ranked outside the world's top 500.
David Duval, winner of The Open in 2001, also plays this week in a season he has deemed as his comeback year. He is currently ranked 195th in FedEx rankings.
Graeme McDowell was due to tee off with Tiger Woods and Harris English. However Woods has now withdrawn from the tournament he has dominated over the years due to injury.
Darren Clarke is paired with JJ Henry and Vijay Singh.
Padraig Harrington plays with Camilo Villegas and Erik Compton.
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