However, the 29 year old Dubliner is reluctant to assume this will continue at Saujana Golf Club, Kuala Lumpar.

The event will be his second event of 2001, his debut of the year being at the World Matchplay in Melbourne in January, where he lost 2 and 1 to Steve Stricker. Padraig has not played competively since that time, well over a month ago.

Acknowledging that his game may well be rusty, and that practice in the much colder climate of Ireland is not comparable to the humidity of Kuala Lumpar, Harrington seems content to make the halfway cut.

"I had four weeks at home doing a bit of practice and went to see Bob (coach Bob Torrance) a couple of times, twice in the snow!" said Harrington. "The weather wasn't great but we got our work done. It's okay to hit shots but not good for practising the short game so it's very untidy at the moment.

"I'm rusty all through my game, I don't see any part of it that's particularly sound at the moment but you have to start somewhere," added Harrington.

A current favourite for the September Ryder Cup team, Padraig obviously hopes to repeat his 1999 debut performance this year, despite the fact he has already missed four European Tour events.

Despite missing four events on the European Tour Harrington is among the favourites to qualify for the Ryder Cup team in September after a strong end to last season and will be looking for a repeat of his impressive debut in 1999.

So, with Harringon, by his own admission, unlikely to be the victor, the way looks set for the likes of Vijay Singh, John Daly and Simon Dyson.