McGinley warned against complacency

Padraig Harrington has warned close friend Paul McGinley to beware his "honeymoon period" with new coach Bob Rotella.

Harrington finally persuaded his fellow Dubliner to work with renowned sports psychologist Rotella and it paid instant dividends with a first-round 67 in the Open Championship at Carnoustie, leaving him two adrift of Sergio Garcia.

"I've been trying to get through to Paul for a while and it's good to see that he's taken the lead," said Harrington. "From my own experience I know Bob Rotella is fantastic but it doesn't get any easier. There is a sort of honeymoon period, and you're seeing that now, but he'll have to work hard to keep it going."

McGinley has had just one top-10 finish since the Open last year, is down to 170th in the world and was only exempt from qualifying for the championship by virtue of being a member of the last Ryder Cup side.

"I spent an hour with Bob on Wednesday, which was the first time I've met him," McGinley said. "Did he tell me something I didn't already know? Not really. But he sort of reinforced what I did when I play well.

"When I got the good start I was able to kick on because I know what to do when things are going right."