FIVE years ago, as a gifted amateur, Padraig Harrington was nominated by the Golfing Union of Ireland to attend a Nick Faldo master class at Welwyn Garden City, along with colleague, Paul McGinley. At 1.20 this afternoon, the new Spanish Open champion will play with Faldo in a three ball directly behind McGinley in the opening round of the Benson and Hedges International.

There seems to be no end to the excitement generated by Harrington's marvellous victory in the Spanish Open at Club de Campo last Sunday. But the 24 year old is coping admirably, from what I observed at The Oxfordshire yesterday.

After lunch in the clubhouse, he made his way to the practice ground at 1.0 pm, where his caddie, John O'Reilly, was waiting. Before a practice ball could be struck, however, his umpteenth interview of the week awaited, this time for BBC radio and television, which he handled with his customary confidence.

Before he arrived here, Harrington had spoken about the opportunities this tournament and next week's Volvo PGA Championship would give him for a refresher course on his golfing idol. "I never imagined I would actually be playing with him," he admitted yesterday.

Spain's Diego Borrego, winner of the Turespana Masters in April, completes the three ball.

"Everything has worked out really well," said the Dubliner. "I've known Diego since we played against each other as amateurs at youths. In fact we were contemporaries right through to senior international level, in St Andrews Trophy matches.

Naturally, they will both be out to impress the master, though Harrington would probably be happier if it happened at a less stressful time. "I'm tired," he said. "There was so much excitement back in Dublin that it's kind of gone to my head. I wouldn't have minded a quiet draw here.

Then his professionalism took over. "I feel the need to get back onto the golf course," he said. "It's great for my future to play with Nick to see up close how he does it," he said. "I don't mind the crowds, but I'll be nervous. He has an awesome presence, though I can't imagine myself being intimidated by him. What have I done that would make him want to behave that way?"

Meanwhile, the reaction of his fellow Irish professionals was fascinating. "Padraig's fantastic performance will have the effect of prodding the rest of us to better things," said Raymond Burns. "It will certainly make me all the more determined." Eamonn Darcy, who played ahead of Harrington at Club de Campo, took a more fatherly view. "I helped him with his wedges and he's become almost as good as I was," he said with a smile.

Then Darcy added "He's the most impressive young Irish player on the tour. Apart from a wonderful short game, he's got tunnel vision on the course a terrific temperament with his feet firmly planted on the ground. I'll be surprised if he doesn't go all the way." And win a major championship such as the British Open? "Yes, he can be a major winner," said Darcy.

Meanwhile, Philip Walton returns to European Tour action this week having missed the cut in the Byrn Nelson Classic in Irvin, Texas, last Friday. He blamed putting problems for his failure, but also expressed anger at being warned for slow play. "I couldn't believe that anybody would think of me as a slow player," he said.

This represents the start of an important run of four tournaments for Walton, leading into the US Open at Oakland Hills, where he will be joined by Darren Clarke. The Ulsterman was optimistic yesterday about a change of fortune arising from his switch to Colin Montgomerie's coach, Bill Ferguson.

"Bill spotted something in my putting technique which has made a huge difference, he said. "I'm also much more confident about my ball striking overall."

Such thoughts were far from the mind of David Feherty, who is back in Europe having earned just over $3,000 in the Bryon Nelson. Munching on a hot dog, he remarked bemusedly "I don't know whether this is breakfast, lunch or dinner."