GOLF: Philip Reid finds Padraig Harrington unruffled by the prospect of playing the first round with Tiger Woods
Witch Doctors have their own unique way of curing their patient's ills, and it usually involves making the cure an awful lot harder to stomach that the initial affliction. Such methods, it seems, were at work at Mount Juliet yesterday.
If there was any temptation - reluctant and all as it may have been - for Padraig Harrington's mind to wander off and ponder one or other of the physical ailments that have bedevilled him for much of the past month, then the first round draw for the American Express world championship brought the sort of challenge that requires a strong stomach, a clear mind, and no distractions.
The Dubliner - now ranked number eight in the world, and one of the game's marque names - has been paired to play with Tiger Woods for tomorrow's opening round of the $5.5 million event, which just happens to be played on the course he represents. Indeed, Darren Clarke, the other Irish player in the field, was also handed a high-profile pairing, in being drawn with Phil Mickelson.
In his heart, Harrington half-expected to be paired with Woods, even if the draw was supposedly pot luck, an act of fate.
"I'm going to go out and buy a lottery ticket," joked Harrington upon hearing the news. "It's amazing how these things come out of a hat. Seriously, though, I figured either myself or Darren would play with Tiger. That's the way it is. Look at the British Open, it was Justin Rose. At the Desert Classic, it was Thomas Bjorn who represents there. I had an inkling one of us would be paired with him."
Of course, Harrington has played with Woods previously, in last year's US Open final round in Tulsa and, most recently, in the third round of the US Open at Bethpage in June. He's not intimidated by the prospect, certainly not on this occasion.
"I'm very happy. I'd probably prefer to play with him on Sunday - that's usually a good sign that you're playing well - but I'm happy to be playing with him on Thursday. It might mean a little extra challenge on the day, but that's obviously what we are here for."
Harrington has arrived at Mount Juliet without a win on the tour this year (he hasn't won since the Volvo Masters last November) and, yet, in the knowledge that it has been a most satisfying season. He has had two top-five finishes in majors - in the US Masters and British Open - and a top 10 finish in the US Open and only finished a shot outside the top 10 in the US PGA. A world championship event lies just a notch below a major, and Harrington is keen to deliver the goods.
"There's always extra pressure playing at home, and there's a little more expectation. But I should be able to deal with that, because of the experience that I now have. It shouldn't really be an excuse. But this week is strange in two ways: either you play well and you compete in this tournament, or you don't play well and start thinking about next week's Ryder Cup. So, no matter what happens, you have a certain focus. You're in a no-lose situation, really.
"But you know what, at this every moment, I want to win the American Express championship. Next week I want to win the Ryder Cup. I want both . . . I want my cake and to eat it. There is no issue. When you turn up and play a tournament, all you're thinking about is winning that event. There is a slight distraction this week in that the Ryder Cup is next week, and that's the week I have been building up for, but the only time I will start thinking about the Ryder Cup is when I feel this tournament is out of my reach. But I want to win both. Let me be greedy. I want to win both."
There are 10 members of the American Ryder Cup team competing here this week, and seven members of the European team.
"I think anybody who plays well here is probably going to be a better player at The Belfry next week, purely because they'll have that little bit of form going into next week. It does drain you a little but I think the Ryder Cup has enough adrenalin that you wouldn't have any loss of focus if you did win here."
Harrington's hunger for success is measured by the weight of expectations on him this week. He is the touring professional attached to Mount Juliet and he has found himself acting as something of an ambassador over the past couple of days.
"I've been asking the other players how they are, wishing them well, and hoping that they're enjoying the place. That's not normal. I'm competitive. But I find myself hoping that the event comes out as a winner too this week."
Of course, Harrington is biased when it comes to what the course has to offer. But it really is in stunning condition, and won't be harmed in any way by the instruction from on high to course superintendent Aidan O'Hara to reduce the stimp reading from 12½ to 11½.
"This course sets the standard for Ireland. Condition wise, this golf course is as good as I've played all year," insisted Harrington. "It's perfect. I don't think anybody can fault it."
