There is no doubt that Padriag Harrington is very confident about his ability right now. The Irishman won two majors during a very productive 2008 and is convinced that he can replicate this success in 2009.
Speaking about the year ahead, Padraig Harrington says that his fellow professionals should fear the threat that he poses during the latter stages of tournaments because he has become much more focused when closing in on victory.
As far as golf is concerned, this ‘fear factor’ amongst players is mainly focused around players being intimidated by World No.1 Tiger Woods. However, Padraig Harrington now feels that he can create a similar reaction.
The 37-year-old says that he hopes his rivals ‘worry’ about him a lot more now. More specifically, he is convinced that if he is in contention during the back nine, the leaders will know that there is a ‘real battle’.
Overall, Padraig Harrington admits that he can feel a ‘big change’ in terms of his presence on the tour this year. With reference to this, he mentions how some on the young players ‘ask advice’, something that hasn’t happened too much in the past.
To be honest though, it is easy to see why Padraig Harrington is being held in such high esteem by his peers. He won the PGA Player of the year award last year, essentially highlighting him as one of the best golfers around right now.
This will be why he is getting so much respect and why he believes that there is a chance players will fear him in the coming months. More often than not, when Padraig Harrington is level pegging with someone going into the final few holes, the golf odds are going to expect him to emerge victorious.
5 comments so far
1 matt gullo // Feb 11, 2009 at 4:50 am
I would agree that Harrington has become the next best player after Tiger when it comes to playing down the stretch. Harrington was unreal down the stretch at both the British and PGA. It is such as huge difference compared to the last couple tournaments on the PGA tour this year when the pressure really hit a lot of guys and they screwed up.
2 Galvin Green // Feb 13, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Like most things in life if you secceed a couple of times then you realise you can do it again. Coupled with the hard work and Harrringtons desire makes himself great by leaving no stone unturned puts him second but still way behind Tiger. Tiger’s whole game especially his long game is way ahead.
3 Golf Equipment // Feb 15, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Having Tiger out of the way in the British and PGA might be what Harrington needed for him to find his confidence. It will still be interesting to see if and how Tiger comes back and what other players do against him head-to-head.
4 Golf Offshore // Feb 19, 2009 at 9:17 pm
It was superb to see Harrington at the British. He came across quite calm and collected. Thats probably what won it for him, the ability to shut out everything else, the crowd, the pressure and the other competitors
5 greenfee // Mar 7, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Harrington is now one of those players who are trying to bring their game to a peak specifically for the majors.
After such a good year in the 2008 majors but a lacklustre Ryder Cup it will be very interesting to see how he performs at Augusta in April.