Harrington puts early exit behind him

GOLF/EUROPEAN TOUR: For Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley the disappointment of failing to make the cut in last week's Volvo PGA Championship was offset by an opportunity to hit the range at Wentworth.

Both players availed of the chance in advance of competing in the Victor Chandler British Masters at Woburn this week.

It was with contrasting moods that the Irish players would have headed for the practice ground. McGinley was not pleased with his general game describing his golf as "horrendous" over the two days. For Harrington there was the consolation, confirmed by his coach Bob Torrance, that the mechanics of the Dubliner's game were in good order.

Torrance confirmed: "There is nothing wrong with the way Padraig is swinging the club." Harrington had not originally intended to compete at Woburn but decided to change his schedule following his early exit from the PGA Championship.

He confessed that it was a mental rather than physical problem that undermined his challenge, nor was he unduly bothered by the fact that he had missed his first cut in 20 months in Europe. "That's not the sort of statistic that I worry about when I tee it up on the first tee.

"Missing the cut only means that you weren't going to win that week. That's realistically it. I had a very bad head on Thursday when I went out."

Harrington was referring to his aversion to Poannua-style greens prevalent at Wentworth. "It's the same at La Costa, I don't like Poannua greens. I find it very hard when they're seeding and there's thatch on them. They're exceptionally tricky and don't suit my style of putting.

"I'm really happy with how my swing is going. The season hasn't even started. I have entered this week in order to do that, play a little bit more. I played the course the week before last. It's very, very nice. I do like the look of the course. I have never played a tournament in Woburn but played nine holes and quite enjoyed it.

"The bad shots are more mental errors than bad swings. That's okay, I just need to work on that. It's what happens when you are uncomfortable on a golf course. You're not thinking well and everything looks like it's going against you. I'm happy with the way that things are going swing wise.

"I don't think that I have ever finished better than 17th at this (Volvo PGA) event. If you look back at the books I have never played well in May. I just about get through to the first week in May and I can play that week and the next four weeks, over the last six years I have had one good week and that was the US Open.

"I have to play the US Open and that is the only reason I play it. I have never played well at this stage since I was 18 years of age, whatever it is. I was always studying in the past and never played well in the British Amateur and it's just a terrible time of the year for me.

"Maybe it's because the greens are in season, maybe I have my answer. I wanted to play as little golf as possible this month. I want to get out on a course I like. Chipping and putting could always do with tournament practice, that's why I'm going next week."

So looking down the road what are his prospects at Bethpage, New York, home of this year's US Open. "Nine of the last 10 US Opens were played on Poannua grass. It's not the same in the US though because basically they cut the grass out of the greens," he laughed. "Poannua greens are exceptionally difficult. You need six degrees of loft in your putter. Who likes La Costa. Pebble Beach at the start of the year has the same thing. They are exceptionally tricky, exceptionally subtle. A four-footer out there has a double break."

So to what does he attribute his superb performance in the Matchplay at Wentworth last autumn. "Matchplay is different. Dave (McNeilly, his caddie) always putts at every hole so we know the breaks. We don't have to stand over it guessing. It's purely a lack of confidence on the greens. You are worried about hitting a good putt and missing."

Harrington will play at Woburn before heading to Largs in Scotland, home of his coach Torrance where he will spend a few days. McGinley, too, plays in the British Masters this week and then hopes to get an invitation to the Buick Classic in New York to prepare for the US Open the following week.

Darren Clarke's itinerary incorporates Woburn, the English Open at the Forest of Arden and then straight to the US Open.

The other Irish players who have entered at Woburn are Des Smyth, Eamonn Darcy, Michael Hoey, Ronan Rafferty and David Higgins.

The European tour and Volvo announced a two-year extension in the sponsorship of the Volvo PGA Championship. Prize-money will increase for next year's event by £250,000. The car manufacturer will also renew their sponsorship of the Order of Merit standings and the Volvo Masters.