Malaysian Open: Padraig Harrington is relishing a return to Malaysia this week as he looks to get his 2006 campaign off to a successful start in conditions he describes as perfectly suited to his game.

The world number 19 is the highest ranked player at the Malaysian Open, which started at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club resort today, and the Dubliner is keen to compete again after a productive off-season.

"I've had nine weeks off with the main priority being rest," Harrington said. "The second priority was doing some good work in the gym over a sustained period of time, and the third priority was to do a little bit more on my swing, and I had been tinkering with it towards the end of last season."

Seeking to dethrone hat-trick chasing Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand at the €1 million co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event, the Dubliner has good reason to feel positive.

"I am playing here in Malaysia again because the golf courses in general do suit me. I play well in the heat, and, because there is not much run, you have to hit the ball in the air a long way, and that suits me," he added. "I feel very comfortable here and to come out here and be looked after so well, and be called into a press conference at your first event of the year, is good for your ego."

After finishing runner-up at the Malaysian Open twice (2000 and 2001) and in the top 10 on two more occasions (1999 and 2005), Harrington is quietly confident of earning a 10th European Tour victory in Kuala Lumpur.

"I am not one for making predictions, but what I really want to do is to get right in there after 69 holes," he said. "If I am in contention then, hopefully my experience will tell."

Michael Hoey, David Higgins and Gary Murphy also compete.