Harrington's hit list
Padraig Harrington never reveals his goals for the season - but he confessed recently that it wouldn’t take a genius to work them out.
He said: "I never tell anyone my goals. You are only giving people ammunition to fire back out you if you do that.
"Normally I set out some obvious ones and a few outlandish ones as well. You need to goals to keep you focussed on what you are doing out there."
Just for fun, we've compiled a list of Harrington’s top targets for 2009.
1 - Win the Masters
No Irishman has ever won the Green Jacket at Augusta and Harrington has confessed that the Masters is his favourite Major. A win this year would give him the third leg of the Paddy Slam. Tiger Woods says all the pressure will be on Harrington as he goes for his third Major win on the trot. But Harrington is praying that Woods will take some of the focus off him by returning from injury at Augusta.
2 - Win the US Open
When Harrington won the US PGA last year, he said his ambition now was to win the other two Majors. He loves life in the US and despite his three Major wins to date, winning the US Open would put him amongst the golfing immortals. With the US Open set for Bethpage in Irish-mad New York this year, there could hardly be a better venue for an Irish victory.
3 - Become world No 1
At the end of 2007, Tiger Woods had a massive 10.9 point lead over Phil Mickelson at the top of the World Rankings. That lead is now just 3.48 points over Sergio Garcia with Harrington lurking just 4.64 behind Woods in third place. Depending on when Woods return to action after knee surgery, Harrington could become world No 1 at the Masters if he wins big early in the season.
4 - Win the Irish Open again
Harrington never won a title at Baltray during his amateur career. He could put that right when the Irish Open touches down at Co Louth in May.
5 - Win three Open Championships in a row
Aussie legend Peter Thomson was the last player to win three Opens on the trot in 1956. And while Harrington has never played an Open at Turnberry, which is back on the rota for the first time since 1994, he’s the best links golfer in the world right now.
6 - Win the FedEx Cup
Last year’s FedEx Cup was a disaster for Harrington, who missed the cut in the first two play-off events and failed to qualify for the Tour Championship. As PGA Tour Player of the Year, he’ll be keen to put up a good show in the US for his American fans and his new sponsors.
7 - Win the Race to Dubai
He’s already won the Order of Merit. Once the Majors are over, Harrington’s focus will turn to the Race to Dubai. Only one player can become the first winner and Harrington can get to the Dubai World Championship in November with a mathematical chance of overall victory and a $3.6 m pay day.