Harrington ready to 'let it happen'

WHILE PÁDRAIG Harrington admits less pressure will help him to convert his recent return to form into a long-awaited victory at this week’s Singapore Open, the Dubliner has set himself an ambitious target of winning his next three events to remain in the hunt on the Race to Dubai.

Harrington was happy to write off the first six months of this season to work on his game, and has reaped the rewards with seven top-10 finishes in his last eight events after the British Open.

He won the Irish PGA Championship prior to finishing 65th at Turnberry, but you have look back to August 2008 for his last top-level success, although that was the US PGA Championship which followed hot on the heels of his second British Open win at Royal Birkdale.

“I have had two halves to my season. The first six months performance-wise wasn’t very good. I was doing a lot of work on my game. I have now played well over the last three months but haven’t got a win. It’s nice to be playing well, but it’s getting frustrating not to win,” said the world number six.

“A win is going to happen, but it gets harder when you try to push it and force it. I have got myself in positions, but now I need to just let it happen.

“I am anxious to win, but that’s not helping, I need to take it easier on myself. There is nothing I can do any different. If I keep doing the things I have for the last couple of weeks, I will surely get a win.”

Despite finishing third at the Portugal Masters, the 38-year-old slipped out of the lucrative top-15 on the inaugural Race to Dubai and sits 16th.

But with winner’s cheques totalling over €2 million to play for over his next three events in Singapore, Shanghai and ultimately Dubai, he has not given up hope of overhauling a gap of over €1 million to current leader Lee Westwood, who is playing at this week’s World Matchplay in Spain.

“It’s mathematically possible I can make number one. I would need a big run and that means I would have to win two of my last three events and finish very high up in the other, so if I am going to aim for that I may as well try and win all three. It is possible, but it’s a very long shot,” added the 2006 European Tour Order of Merit winner.

Last year in Singapore, Harrington was in contention for the title down the stretch, but missed out by a stroke after hitting into the water on the 16th, which led to a double bogey, before missing a five-foot birdie putt at the last which would have earned a play-off.

And after yesterday’s pro-am, which was hit by rain which is expected to threaten all week, Harrington admitted the Serapog Course offers a much tougher challenge this year.

“It would be nice to go one better than last year. I came very close but it wasn’t to be. I had forgotten hitting the water at 16, all I remember is three-putting the last.

“It’s a slightly different course this year, but hopefully I will be there or there abouts on Sunday.

“My game has been in good shape. I have been struggling a bit with my posture and I am fighting a bit of a cut, so hopefully that won’t be there.”