Fresh off the back of his latest European Tour win, Graeme McDowell is now looking towards the prospect of challenging Padraig Harrington for his Irish Open crown at Adare Manor in May.

The 28-year-old recorded his third tour win at the inaugural Ballantine's Championship in Korea 10 days ago when he triumphed over India's Jeev Milkha Singh from a sudden-death play-off.

The Portrush pro makes no secret of his desire to play on Nick Faldo's European Ryder Cup team at Valhalla this September, but first he will focus attentions closer to home.
         
"I'm excited about the Irish Open already," said McDowell, who teed it up in Limerick last year. "I think Adare Manor was a fantastic setup last year, so I'm really looking forward to going back.  Now that Harrington has broken the Irish duck, hopefully he has opened the floodgates for more Irishmen to do it.

"I'll be going down there with a lot of confidence.  Every tournament between now and The Ryder Cup is very, very important to me, and the Irish Open is a prime one on my schedule.

"The fact that it is the first tournament back on British and Irish soil for the season makes it even more exciting and there is certainly a unique aspect to the Irish Open. It's got a very traditional flair to it and is steeped in history, and like I said, Adare is a pretty spectacular setting.

"There are not many golf courses with that kind of setting with the way the Manor and the hotel are so prominent, so I'm looking forward to getting back there, as always."

When Harrington broke the 25-year wait for an Irish winner in the national championship he went on to bigger and better things by securing the British Open six weeks later. That week in Carnoustie last July will live long in the memory.

As for McDowell, he is the first Irish winner of the 2008 season and between now and the Ryder Cup he hopes to add more silverware to his collection - especially at Adare Manor.