Padraig Harrington believes he needs a “minor miracle” to defend his PGA Grand Slam title after playing “stale, tired golf” in yesterday’s opening round at Port Royal.The Irishman, who won the 36-hole event last year as an alternative, shot a disappointing 74 to leave him trailing half-way leader Justin Rose by seven shots.Playing better than your scorecard might suggest is a sure-fire sign of an out-of-sorts golfer, according Harrington, whose round included a worrying four bogeys and a double bogey.“You know, I played stale golf, tired golf. I’ve definitely hit the ball better than that,” said the three-time major winner.“When you’re not making the most out of your round, that’s a sign that you’re just a little bit stale and not sharp.“I think I was a little bit despondent.“My position would be so much better if I was back there at level par. You know, I wouldn’t be too far away from the lead.“Obviously Justin is four-under, which means somebody is going to have to play well to catch him. I need a minor miracle to catch him.”Harrington’s form has been indifferent since winning two majors in 2009, with the 42-year-old planning on skipping a few tournaments towards the end of the year because of too much golf.“I’ve just played probably too many events and I feel it’s time for a break,” he said. “It’s just pure staleness in the game. I’ve just overplayed.“Already in my head, (I have) pulled out of another two events during the winter to give me a long winter break.“And it will be probably the longest winter break I’ve taken since I won my majors. There’s not a shadow of a doubt that I’m completely over-golfed at this very moment.”It was also a long day for Jason Dufner who, despite being only two shots behind Rose, admitted to feeling “beat up” after yesterday’s round.The PGA Championship winner opened with a 69, which included five birdies and three bogeys but struggled on the back nine as the wind picked up.“I’m beat up. It’s a tough golf course to walk and I’ve played a lot of golf since July,” said the American.“It’s great to be here and I’m going to get through it, and I’m looking forward to getting some time off (in Bermuda) in the future.”For Adam Scott, who shot a 70, Port Royal’s signature 16th hole was unforgettable for all wrong reasons.The Masters winner took a double bogey after his tee shot landed near the lip of a bunker, rendering it almost impossible for him to get near the hole.His bunker shot was a poor one, as was his following chip shot, made all the more difficult by the “unpredictable” Bermuda rough.“It was a tale of two nines. I played really nice on the front nine but, just like the other guys, I had a few struggles on the back,” said the Australian, who has travelled to Bermuda with the iconic green jacket he received at Augusta.“Unfortunately I missed a few putts and I got a bad break on 16. I went under the ball somehow (in the bunker). I wasn’t expecting (the sand) to feel like that.“The next shot — well, it was an almost impossible shot to get close to. I didn’t have a good stance, and any lie in the Bermuda rough is a little unpredictable.“You can hit two shots the same out of that stuff and have two different results. It’s not a good spot to be, obviously.”