Laid back Padraig Harrington is hoping to boost his chances of winning the Murphy's Irish Open at Fota Island this week - by taking a holiday.

The relaxed Dubliner looks as if he means business with his designer stubble beard and military style haircut.

But action man Harrington, 30, confessed that is hoping to revive memories of great family holidays in his Dad's home county by taking a laid-back approach.

After finishing in the top ten at the Masters and the US Open, Harrington is the 8/1 joint favourite to break Ireland's 20 year barren streak in the ¤1.6 million event.

He said: "My Dad is from Castletownbere in Cork and when I come back down here I'm not Padraig Harrington, I'm still know as Paddy Harrington's son."

Harrington Senior played in two All Ireland football finals with Cork and son Padraig is hoping that the Cork fans will spur him on to a first win in the national Open.

"I'd love to win the tournament," he said. "It's our national title and for any player who wants to achieve a degree of success, winning your national title is a good indicator of how you are progressing.

"Just one win would be enough to be honest. It would get the monkey off our backs after not winning for 20 years and I'd love to do it this week."

Harrington spent many summers on holiday in his father's home town and he's hoping to regain that spirit of relaxation in the European tour's friendliest event.

"This is one of the premier events. I love coming down here and the Irish Open has always been a special event for all the players," he explained.

"To all intents and purposes the course is secluded here in the wildlife park and there is a city nearby where you can do things at night and go to nice restaurants.

"That's why the players like it. The Irish Open is always on a good course compared to some other average venues we visit and the crowds are knowledgeable.

"It's also the atmosphere that makes it special and when the players are happy the crowds are happy too and it makes for a party atmosphere."

Organisers are expecting massive crowds over the four days of competition and after his second place finish last year Harrington feels that the time has come to win at home.

He admitted: "Darren Clarke's win in the Smurfit Irish PGA championship European Open last year was the first Irish win on home soil for years but it's always harder for us in the Irish Open.

"I used to try and play it like a foreign event but you still end up taking 20 minutes out here and there to chat to people, which means that you lose an hour or more every day and that means less time to relax or to go to the gym or whatever.

"Normally I can just go about my business in a normal event but here I stop and talk to people and it upsets the routine a little. In the past I have gotten stressed out trying to do too many things and fit too much in but today I won't even bother trying to play more than nine holes. I want to stay relaxed"

Harrington practiced with new Irish pro Michael Hoey and amateur stars Noel Fox and Colm Moriarty.

And he is happy with his game after finishing fifth in the Masters Tournament, third in the Benson and Hedges and tied for eighth in the US Open at Bethpage State Park earlier this month.

"I played well in New York but one swallow doesn't make a summer," said Harrington. "I'm playing decently and rather than focussing on the mechanics of my swing I'm trying to play well when I really want to play well."

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie led from start to finish last year to win his third Murphy's Irish Open and is seeking a unique fourth title over the 6,927 yard, par 71 track.

Montgomerie, Harrington and Darren Clarke have been installed as the 8/1 joint favourites for the title with local bookies with Australia's Adam Scott, England's Justin Rose, Swede Niclas Fasth and Dane's Thomas Bjorn and Anders Hansen amongst the favourites.

Spanish maestro Seve Ballesteros is a sure-fire crowd-puller with Lee Westwood, Ian Woosnam and Ian Poulter the other big names to watch out for.

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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