Harrington hoping for grandstand finale

Padraig Harrington is relishing the prospect of a final hole shoot-out as the race at the top of the European Tour's order of merit reaches a conclusion this weekend.

Harrington has to finish in the top three to have a chance of overhauling Paul Casey with David Howell, who may not play tomorrow because of injury, and Robert Karlsson are also in with a chance of being crowned Europe's number one.

"I'd be happy if the four of us are tied playing the 18th on Sunday and it would all come down to just one shot," Harrington told reporters on the eve of the tournament.

But Casey disagreed.

"It will be tough if it comes down to one shot," said the 29-year-old Englishman. "The order of merit is a reflection of how you have played all year."

Casey said he was surprised the 35-year-old Harrington had never before finished top of the money list.

"I look up to Padraig," he said. "I respect his work ethic, his control of the ball. I look to him to pick up tips. I'm surprised he's not won an order of merit already."

The Dubliner tees off tomorrow knowing that he will claim the Harry Vardon trophy with a win, regardless of where Casey finishes, has at least been in this situation before.

None of the four contenders has won before, but, unlike Casey, David Howell and Robert Karlsson, Harrington has gone mighty close. He was second in 2001 and 2002, and third the following two seasons.

His best chance was four years ago. He trailed Retief Goosen by only £17,000, but on the very first hole incurred a two-stroke penalty for repairing a pitch mark which he then realised was not quite on the putting surface.

It was a self-inflicted blow from which he never recovered. He ended up 36th to Goosen's 34th and says looking back: "From experiences like that you learn," he said today. "I'd like to be a lot closer to Paul. I think it's a lot to make up."

Meanwhile, Casey was today awarded the European Tour's shot of the month for September. The shot, of course, was the hole-in-one - only the fifth in Ryder Cup history - on the K Club's 14th which ended his Saturday foursomes match with Howell against Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson.

It is favourite to be made shot of the year as well.

"It was my first hole-in-one in a professional tournament and to achieve it in a Ryder Cup was an unbelievable experience," said Casey. "I knew I had struck it very well, turning it on the wind, but when the crowd reacted at the back of the green it was a bizarre moment. We all shook hands - it was a very surreal situation, not actually walking up to a green."

In second place was another shot from the match, Darren Clarke's emotional opening drive on the Friday morning.

Clarke, whose wife Heather had died from cancer less than six weeks earlier, arrived on the first tee to a tumultuous reception from the home fans and hit a 320-yard boomer.

Third place went to Sergio Garcia for his approach over the river from a muddy pathway on the par-five 16th as he and Luke Donald beat David Toms and Phil Mickelson in the Saturday foursomes.