EUROPEAN TOUR: Padraig Harrington made his first appearance of the year on the European Tour early this morning in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur hoping to improve his luck in the country.
On his last five visits, Harrington has finished fourth, third, second, second and 11th, losing out two years ago in a sudden-death play-off in this event to Vijay Singh.
The third place came in the World Cup in 1999 with Paul McGinley, and the duo returned to the Mines Resort course along with European number one for the last two years Retief Goosen, and his predecessor, Lee Westwood.
Harrington came into the event on the back of a nine-week lay-off from the game and is already over €300,000 behind Order of Merit leader Ernie Els.
The Dubliner made the perfect start to his bid to claim the money list title by winning the BMW Asian Open in Taiwan at the end of the last year - the event actually counted for the 2003 Order of Merit.
The 31-year-old then beat Tiger Woods in the world number one's own tournament in America - playing with Woods in the last two rounds - and partnered McGinley to eighth in the World Cup in Mexico.
"It was a good end to the season, but I was physically and mentally tired and I needed the break," said Harrington. "Of the nine weeks off I took three off totally and went 42 days without playing a hole of golf.
"I think I've got it right though, because I want to play this week, that's a good sign you've taken a good break. I'm looking forward to the new season, but at the moment I'm a little erratic and rusty.
"The course seemed difficult over the last two days, that's a sign I haven't played much golf. I keep seeing all the hazards.
"But I've played well in Malaysia before and hope to do the same this week."
Harrington insisted he is a long way from thinking about challenging for the Order of Merit this season, but admitted he wasted a great chance to win it last year.
Going into the final event of the season, the Volvo Masters, Harrington trailed Goosen by about only €25,000 but finished 36th - two places behind the South African.
"If there is going to be any disappointment last year it was going close in the Order of Merit," Harrington admitted. "If I go through my career and don't win it I will look back at that year as the year I slipped up and had my best opportunity.
"Ernie has started great this time but there is a long way to go. I don't think anyone is surprised by his form. We are all impressed, but not surprised.
"We have all known he has that ability. It was only a matter of time, when Tiger raised the bar, for others to follow suit and Ernie has always had that potential."
In Els's absence, Harrington will be one of the favourites, while Scotland's Alastair Forsyth defends his title.
Harrington is paired with Maarten Lafeber and Prayad Marksaeng in the first two rounds.
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