Harrington targets one more win
Wednesday, 01 Oct 2008 15:58
Padraig Harrington has enjoyed a stellar year on the European Tour
Padraig Harrington believes he needs to do well at one of his final two tournaments of the season if he is to win this year's Order of Merit title.
The Irishman has won two majors this season - retaining the Open Championship title he won in 2007 and sealing a maiden success at the USPGA Championships in April – which puts him top of the earnings list for the European Tour.
However, with England's Lee Westwood less than £200,000 behind him and Swede Robert Karlsson just £100,000 behind that, Harrington claims he still needs one more good performance to seal his place as the top European player.
And the Dubliner has said he hopes it comes at this weekend's Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
"The Order of Merit is the prime reason why I'm trying a little bit harder this week because I know this is a good chance for me," Harrington admitted.
"I've got two tournaments left - this and the Volvo Masters.
"I think I've got to play really well in one of them to win the Order of Merit. If I can win one of the two, I think that more or less guarantees me the Order of Merit."
Despite his individual successes this season, Harrington disappointed as Europe lost the Ryder Cup for the first time in the 21st century at Valhalla last month.
And the world number four revealed he has been suffering from fatigue, which may have affected his performance in Kentucky.
"I wouldn't not be here. I'd crawl over to this tournament if I had to," he said.
"But I was low in antioxidants, my white blood cells were too active and it was basically showing that I'm fatigued."