Harrington feeling the pace

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington desperately needs this week off to rest up for the Ryder Cup. The Irishman has complained of fatigue in the past after trying to keep sponsors and tournament organisers happy with an often punishing schedule and he now says he regrets participating in the BMW Championship in the US at the weekend.

Since winning the Open for the first time at Carnoustie last year Harrington has tried to lessen the demands he puts on himself but his efforts in securing back-to-back major victories by retaining the Claret Jug and then winning the US PGA have taken their toll.

Now after a long spell in the United States, having stayed on for the FedEx Cup events, he has returned to his Dublin home for a much-needed break.

But with Ryder Cup week beginning next Monday even Harrington does not know if it is enough time to recharge his batteries.

"I hope so. There's no other choice," he said on his decision to go home having competed in the BMW Championship in St Louis which finished yesterday.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the other member of the European team to play at the BMW Championship, will remain in the United States in an effort to avoid jetlag but it was less of a decision for him as he is based mainly in America.

Harrington's form the last three weeks has been mediocre, which is not entirely unexpected considering the mental energy he exerted to win the Open and PGA Championship in the space of three weeks before that.

He missed the cut at the first two events of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-off series before finishing equal 55th at Bellerive, where there was no cut.

European captain Nick Faldo will dearly hope a week at home will be enough to freshen up the man who will spearhead the European challenge in Kentucky next week.

"Six weeks here, I'm tired," Harrington said of his American travels.

"I'm looking forward to going home. I hoped I could come into the FedEx Cup and perform, but in hindsight it was a step too far."