 Harrington, the top-ranked European, struggled all week |
Padraig Harrington's disappointing US Open campaign ended on a relative high as he birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th holes before parring the last. They were his first birdies for 48 hours and could only improve his score to 15 over for the tournament.
The 32-year-old Irishman was eight over for his round after just 13 holes.
Sweden's Joakim Haeggman suffered all day, however, and a quintuple-bogey nine at the 10th was the lowlight of an 83 that left him 22 over for 72 holes.
Haeggman said: "I think they could have been a little easier on us. It's just bloody hard.
"I thought this would be the greatest chance of winning a US Open and I'm 22 over.
 |  I did have fun - a strange sort of fun. I spent most of the day trying to break 80 |
"They are the toughest greens I've ever played on - my caddie and I bounced balls on the practice green and caught the balls without them making a pitch mark." Alex Cejka, another European Ryder Cup hopeful, also endured a dreadful final round. The German carded an 85 to sink to 23 over.
But the story was brighter for Sweden's Daniel Chopra, as he posted a 75 to reach the clubhouse on 12 over and a finish in the middle of the pack.
Despite being off the pace all week, Harrington put a brave face on his disappointing performance.
"I did have fun - a strange sort of fun. I spent most of the day trying to break 80," he said.
The dubious distinction of being the top European at Shinnecock Hills went to Sergio Garcia, although a tie for 20th after a fourth-round 80 reveals just how hollow that accolade is.
MMIX
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