Shattered Padraig Harrington tucked into pizza before getting some physio after the veteran produced one of the best later first rounds at The Open.
The 50-year-old kept it together in classy fashion in the closing stretch despite it taking over six hours going around the Old Course for a 69 total that keeps him nicely in the mix at St Andrews.
"I'm shattered, I'm really tired," he said afterwards, as darkness closed in. "I've got a headache. I'm hungry.
READ MORE: Phil Mickelson loses temper with journalist over LIV question during The Open
"I've got pizza waiting for me - my good old manager has two pizzas actually right there!
"I'm looking forward to eating and getting some physio, and the tee time is very nice and sociable tomorrow at 9:47, so not too bad."
The physio, Harrington confirmed, is for a leg injury that is more complicated than an old knee issue but one he is not worried about as it is improving with physio.
"It manifests itself in the knee but there's a lot going on in the leg," he explained.
"Physically it's a bit tough for me at the moment, let alone when you're waiting around and have to warm up for each shot.
The Dubliner's round could have unravelled badly after he missed a three-footer for par on 16 and then found trouble off the 17th tee.
But Harrington produced a magical chip from the rough close to the Road Hole green, coaxing the ball up to five feet and he made the par putt.
"When I missed on 16 I couldn't see a way back to the clubhouse," he laughed. "I wasn't in a good place.
"It was a long enough day that I didn't need to miss that putt. I've seen that of late, that the last couple of holes are tough to finish off in a few of my rounds.
"The putt on 16 really did deflate me, when you end up on your arse you're always wrong.
"It was hard going over those last holes - the stopping and starting when you're 50, it's hard to Rolls Royce them on every swing."
Harrington is the second best placed of the seven Irishmen who are playing in the last major of the year, with Rory McIlroy leading the way for the group after an opening 66. Cameron Young of America leads the way after an opening 64.
"I don't feel like I could have done much more this afternoon. That's all I could do," confessed Stackstown star Harrington.
"As my caddie Ronan said, we're just waiting for that run to start again.
"It might start this week, it mightn't. But everything is in order for good things to happen."
*Open debutant Ronan Mullarney's sizzling start got him to within touching distance of the top 10.
Unfortunately for the Galwegian, who was the last of the 156 players to tee off, the Old Course back nine bared its teeth and he carded a one over par 73.
Mullarney made the turn in 33 despite a bogey on 3, hitting back in style on 5 with an eagle before back to back birdies on seven and eight.
But as the light declined he made four bogeys coming in, including one on the Road Hole.
Dubliner David Carey was also making his major championship bow and he recorded a level par 72, finishing with the flourish of a closing birdie in the dark.
Carey was one under par at the turn and battled hard to keep his round together on the home stretch.
READ NEXT:
Andy Farrell wants Ireland to “bring a bit of chaos” to third Test against New Zealand
Colm Bonnar axed as Tipperary boss following disappointing season
Bunkered - Ireland's St Andrews hopefuls on the Open pitfalls that lie ahead
Katie Taylor's Croke Park fight suffers blow as Eddie Hearn gives update
Roy Keane makes Premier League prediction as he disagrees with Graeme Souness
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
